Louis Ludik has called time on his professional rugby career after seven years with Ulster Rugby, and he has taken some time out to reflect on his time with the province.
How are the emotions now you have announced your retirement from rugby?
It’s very sad. I’ve been playing rugby for fourteen years and I’ve been at Ulster for seven years; half of my career. It’s been part of my life for so long and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to play for so long. I’m going to miss Ulster massively. I’m going to stay in Belfast, but I’ll miss playing and being with the lads, the camaraderie after a game, working hard and sharing that with the fans, family and supporters.
Tell us about your memories in your very first game in an Ulster shirt.
It was actually a game against the Scarlets in 2014. I remember it like it was yesterday; we played them away and I remember scoring a try that was disallowed in the corner and I was fortunate enough that [Ian] Humph put me away in the corner at the other side. I remember it very well. It was a great experience and putting that white jersey over my head was a massive honour. I can’t believe seven years down the line that I’m still here! I was very fortunate to be able to come to Ulster. I’ve been playing here for so long, it’s very surreal. It’s been an amazing journey, but I’ve enjoyed every single second.
What led to you joining Ulster?
I remember before joining Ulster, Ruan [Pienaar] gave me a call to say that Ulster were looking for a full-back and they were looking at me. It was very surreal and I didn’t expect it to happen. Ruan always spoke so highly of Ulster, but I never thought it would be realised. Fortunately enough, it was! I was still playing in France back then and when I had to make the decision, it was such an easy one to come over and join Ulster. It’s been an amazing journey.
What have been some of the highlights of your Ulster career?
There were quite a few! Some of the highlights for the team and me personally were beating big teams, especially away from home; it was always special. I remember playing Harlequins away in the snow and beating them, and Toulouse a couple of years ago and beating them. Even though they weren’t my best games, as a team playing very hard and for each other, grinding finishes, winning was very special. There were a few games like Glasgow away that personally I played well in, and we won. That was the cherry on the top if I played well. Cardiff at home in 2017 was a game I remember quite well. It’s just a special feeling when we as a team come together and everyone plays well, beating big clubs. It’s very special.
What have you enjoyed the most whilst playing in an Ulster shirt?
What I enjoyed the most about playing in an Ulster shirt was running out onto the field, especially at Kingspan Stadium and the crowd cheering. There were a couple of games I remember playing against Saracens at home in the hail and snow, the wind was blowing horizontally. I looked at the crowd and they weren’t moving, and I thought, “Wow, this is incredible, I’ve never seen anything like this!”. The supporters are steadfast in supporting the team, showing them that the support is just amazing. Experiencing ‘Stand Up for the Ulster Men’, being at capacity and hearing 18,000 people singing is incredible. Whenever we play big teams, the crowd gets behind us and we win; experiencing that and sharing that with the team and fans was very special. Doing a lap afterwards and the whole crowd stayed and cheered for us. I’ll cherish that forever.
What are your plans for retirement?
The plan is to stay in Belfast. My family and I are really enjoying it here. We’ve got a great set-up and the big thing about Belfast is the people. People are so friendly and welcoming; we’re absolutely loving that. My son is very happy at school and my wife is very happy in the business – we set up a business here – and we’re loving it. We see ourselves here and are enjoying it.
You’ve been at Ulster for seven years; where do you see Ulster going now?
With so many young guys coming through, by the end there, I felt so old! Young guys coming through the Academy is awesome. Kieran [Campbell] and everyone, all the work they’ve done over the last couple of years, getting guys through the ranks, it’s awesome to see. I think the future is so bright; there’s so much talent coming through and the guys are getting bigger and faster. I can’t wait to see how many trophies the guys are going to win and what Dan is doing; the hard work the guys are putting in on the training field is intense. I’m very hopeful. I think there are a lot of trophies coming to Ulster and it’s just a matter of time.
What are you going to miss the most about playing rugby?
That’s a difficult one! The biggest thing that I’ll miss is the schedule. For such a long time, playing rugby, your schedule is sent to you, and you don’t have to think what you have to do or wear or where you have to be. It’s scheduled for you. I’ve been playing rugby since I was six years old so it’s going to be weird not playing but I think playing on a Friday night or Saturday I’ll miss massively. My body is going to appreciate not playing so much but I’m definitely going to miss playing, especially in the big games where there’s so much at stake and you put everything out there.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans?
In my letter to supporters [which was released on Ulster Rugby social media], I said that right from the first moment it was announced that I was coming to Ulster the messages I got were so positive. For someone who came in, who wasn’t born an Ulster man, it’s very special. It’s something that the supporters don’t know how much that means when there are so many positive messages that come through, especially not being from here. It’s surreal. Being accepted was incredible and I’ll always cherish it. Everyone who comes here always says that the support is incredible. I want to thank them so much for my time here and making me feel so welcome. When I made a tackle on the field and heard my name being cheered, it’s the small things that fans won’t see, but that doesn’t go unnoticed, and I just really want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
What are your plans for retirement?
The plan is to stay in Belfast. My family and I are really enjoying it here. We’ve got a great set-up and the big thing about Belfast is the people. People are so friendly and welcoming; we’re absolutely loving that. My son is very happy at school and my wife is very happy in the business – we set up a business here – and we’re loving it. We see ourselves here and are enjoying it.
You’ve been at Ulster for seven years; where do you see Ulster going now?
With so many young guys coming through, by the end there, I felt so old! Young guys coming through the Academy is awesome. Kieran [Campbell] and everyone, all the work they’ve done over the last couple of years, getting guys through the ranks, it’s awesome to see. I think the future is so bright; there’s so much talent coming through and the guys are getting bigger and faster. I can’t wait to see how many trophies the guys are going to win and what Dan is doing; the hard work the guys are putting in on the training field is intense. I’m very hopeful. I think there are a lot of trophies coming to Ulster and it’s just a matter of time.
What are you going to miss the most about playing rugby?
That’s a difficult one! The biggest thing that I’ll miss is the schedule. For such a long time, playing rugby, your schedule is sent to you, and you don’t have to think what you have to do or wear or where you have to be. It’s scheduled for you. I’ve been playing rugby since I was six years old so it’s going to be weird not playing but I think playing on a Friday night or Saturday I’ll miss massively. My body is going to appreciate not playing so much but I’m definitely going to miss playing, especially in the big games where there’s so much at stake and you put everything out there.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans?
In my letter to supporters [which was released on Ulster Rugby social media], I said that right from the first moment it was announced that I was coming to Ulster the messages I got were so positive. For someone who came in, who wasn’t born an Ulster man, it’s very special. It’s something that the supporters don’t know how much that means when there are so many positive messages that come through, especially not being from here. It’s surreal. Being accepted was incredible and I’ll always cherish it. Everyone who comes here always says that the support is incredible. I want to thank them so much for my time here and making me feel so welcome. When I made a tackle on the field and heard my name being cheered, it’s the small things that fans won’t see, but that doesn’t go unnoticed, and I just really want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.