Ulster Rugby vs Scarlets

LOUIS LUDIK

As the full-back and fan favourite approaches his 100-appearance milestone, Louis Ludik reflects on his time at Ulster, and gives a glimpse of his plans for the future.

“I never knew what was going to happen; you don’t plan that long ahead in rugby. You play contract-to-contract and hope it goes well, but it has come along and it’s great that I’m here now. When you join a club, you never think you’ll be there for four or five years, especially living away from home. You don’t expect to fall in love with the place and make it your home; Ulster and Belfast have done that, and I’m delighted to say it’s home for us now.” Being the oldest member of the Ulster squad, Ludik boasts a significant amount of experience, and has some words of wisdom to share with younger players. “With a bit of experience, I’ve learned how to approach and adapt to the coaching – every coach is different and they have different ideas in how they see the team playing. You have to fit into that mould and sometimes it’s difficult. It’s important to adapt to the game and understand what the coaches try to accomplish.” As for life after rugby, he and his family have firm plans to stay in the Province. “At this stage, we’re thinking of staying in Belfast after rugby; that’s the plan at the moment. As we saw with Ruan Pienaar, those plans can change but there’s a lot going on that we’re trying to set up for life after rugby. It’s definitely in the plans for us to stay at the moment.”

Tonight’s game will be Louis Ludik’s 100th appearance in an Ulster jersey, which the South African deems to be a privilege. “I can’t believe it,” he says. “Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s a great honour to make my 100th appearance; I wish it happened earlier if it wasn’t for injuries, but it’s a privilege to have 100 caps for Ulster. I can’t wait to get out there on the field against Scarlets.” Previous Ulster centurions haven’t been as fortunate to line out for their 100th game at home – fellow countryman, Ruan Pienaar played his against Leinster at the RDS – which isn’t lost on the 33-year-old. “As you approach a milestone like this, you start looking at what game your 100th appearance can land on, so when I saw we had three games at home, I thought the chances would be that it would be at home. It’s the cherry on top – it doesn’t matter where you play – but to line out at home, it makes it that little bit more special. It’s something I’m sure I’ll remember forever.” Ironically, Ludik’s first Ulster cap was won against the same opposition back in September 2014, and he acknowledges that, at that time, he hadn’t planned to make such a long term commitment to life on the other side of the world.

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