'Violence is everywhere' - Ulster fullback fears return to SA

Ulster fullback Louis Ludik would like to stay in Ireland after his rugby career ends, saying he fears life back home in South Africa.

The 33-year-old, who spent seven years in Super Rugby with the Lions and Sharks and a year in France at Agen, moved to Belfast with wife Chamé in 2014.

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Ludik and his wife welcomed baby Leo to a growing family four years ago and they look set to abide in Belfast for good after recently launching a South African-style sausage company called HellBent.

Last year Chamé shared a video of a 56-year-old woman getting shot dead in her car in SA which went viral.

In an interview with the Irish Mirror, Ludik said: “It’s no shock, really, no. That happens, probably every day. Somewhere. There’s so many murders, and things like that happening. It’s scary… it’s shocking to watch but it’s a reality.

“The scary thing is that’s the norm in South Africa. Because violence is everywhere, you get used to it.

“So when you step out of that environment, you realise how unnatural it actually is.”

Ludik says his wife is still scared to walk on her own after she was involved in a smash and grab “a couple of times”.

“My sister too, and my wife’s dad was hijacked when she was 15,” he said.

“Fortunately nothing like that has happened to me, but my wife is adamant she wants to stay here because she feels safe.”

He added: “It’s such a small thing, but it’s so nice to be able to go home to your house and know you’re safe.

“You don’t have to worry. You get very comfortable – we don’t even lock our doors here sometimes!

“In South Africa you have to have gates, locks, you have to protect yourself. It’s so uncomfortable and that’s why so many people emigrate, they see how life can be elsewhere.”