Exclusive: Louis Schreuder Returns Home to Drive Boland’s Top-Four Push

The Currie Cup landscape is shifting, and one team making the most noise from the south is Boland Rugby. 

After their return to the top flight, Boland has become the dark horse of the competition, who are currently sitting third on the log, tied on 11 points with the top two sides and separated only by points difference.

It’s not just results that are turning heads, it's the intent. The union has brought in experienced names to bolster their campaign, none more significant than former Springbok scrumhalf Louis Schreuder, who made his return to South African rugby in Boland's hard-fought 29–10 victory over the Lions in Wellington last weekend.

Schreuder’s Return: A Homecoming Story

Fresh off his stint with Bath in England, Schreuder chose to bring his young family home, both literally and figuratively to Boland, where his rugby journey began.

“I’m originally from Boland and grew up watching them. My dad used to coach here and played back in the amateur days,” said Schreuder. 

“I’m very much a local product and fell in love with the game here.”

With a second child on the way and a desire to be closer to family, Schreuder spoke with head coach Hawies Fourie to explore the possibility of returning home. The stars aligned.

“It was mostly for family reasons, but I’m happy to be playing for Boland and making a difference here. I felt it was a good transition at this stage of my career.”

While some may wonder if Schreuder considered joining a bigger union like Western Province, the seasoned scrumhalf was clear.

“I never considered Province. They’ve got a lot of talented players and always back their youngsters. Boland was my first choice and if Province ever wanted my services, I’d consider it, but this was always home," he told SportsBoom.co.za. 

A New Era for Boland

Boland has embraced their underdog status, starting their Currie Cup campaign with grit and unity. Schreuder reflects on the drama of the opening round.

“In the first game, we took it right up to the 88th minute… blood pressure was up there for sure! But we’ve had a good start. We want to push teams and see how far we can go.”

There’s optimism, but also realism in Schreuder’s voice.

“We want to be in the playoff berth, and finish in the top four. But for now, it’s game by game.”

Big Investments, Big Ambitions

Boland Rugby's rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Business moguls Johann Rupert and Patrice Motsepe, known for their influence in South African sports, have shown interest in investing in the union.

“It’s always a good thing when people want to help,” Schreuder commented. 

“Boland has the biggest club base in the country, over 200 clubs. Financial input is massive, and the investors’ contributions have made the right noise. The union is heading in the right direction.”

Currie Cup Changing, But Still Valuable

Once the pinnacle of South African rugby, the Currie Cup now finds itself in transition. With the top URC-aligned franchises resting players or using it as pre-season, some say the tournament has lost its sparkle.

Schreuder, who last won the Currie Cup with the Sharks in 2018, acknowledges the shift but believes the competition still holds value.

“It’s not like the old days with full-strength sides and all the Springboks involved, but I wouldn’t call it watered down. It’s still very competitive. Teams are managing their squads, and it’s a chance to expose young talent.”

Platform for the Next Generation

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Currie Cup has become a breeding ground for the future of South African rugby. Smaller unions like Boland are now thriving as they give opportunities to players who may otherwise go unnoticed.

“There’s ample talent in this country, and what better way to showcase it than in the Currie Cup?” said Schreuder. 

“You can see it with the SA U20 players coming in after the World Championship win, this competition is proper rugby.”

With Boland making strides on the field and the off-field support growing stronger, the union’s aim of returning to the heights of its past is no longer just a dream, it’s a developing reality.

Top 4 might be the goal, but for Boland, the horizon looks even brighter.