­
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Beast marvels at Ox’s progress

Beast marvels at Ox’s progress

Sharks prop Ox Nche takes on the defence Ox Nche
Published on April 14, 2020

Springbok great Beast Mtawarira believes Ox Nche has taken giant strides since joining the Sharks. JON CARDINELLI reports.

Nche has been on the national radar for some time. The athletic prop was impressive with his ball-carrying and handling contributions for South Africa A against the French Barbarians in 2017. He made his Test debut against Wales in Washington DC a year later.

That Test in the USA remains Nche’s one and only appearance for Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks. Given Mtawarira’s retirement after the 2019 World Cup, however, there’s now an opportunity to nail down a place in the squad.

BEAST MTAWARIRA: It’s my duty to help youngsters

Mtawarira recently returned to South Africa after his stint with Old Glory in the MLR was cut short. A number of South African players have travelled home following news of the Covid-19 outbreak and the suspension of various leagues and competitions around the world.

SARugbymag.co.za took the opportunity to chat to the World Cup winner about various topics. The 117-Test veteran wasn’t afraid to single out Nche when asked about the state of South Africa’s front-row stocks and recent performances in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

OUR WORLD XV: The final squads

‘There are a lot of players putting their hands up. One who has caught my eye is the guy who’s replaced me at the Sharks,’ said Mtawarira, who spent his entire career with the Durban-based franchise.

‘Ox Nche has done a great job since coming in from the Cheetahs. I love the way he goes about his game.

‘To be honest, I haven’t seen the Sharks play so well in ages. It’s just a shame that the season was cut short, as they really seemed to have struck a great balance. ‘

Lukhanyo Am recently told me about how the Sharks are striving to use all of their players – whether they are forwards and backs – in a more complete approach.

Men like Nche have featured prominently when the Sharks have transitioned from defence to attack. While he has contributed strongly at the set pieces and breakdowns, his speed between the rucks as well as his ability to get into position and make telling passes has set him apart.

The Boks travelled to the 2019 World Cup with two specialist loosehead props in Mtawarira and Steven Kitshoff. Swing props such as Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit – who has played a lot at No 3 this year – also have the ability to slot in at No 1.

Lizo Gqoboka made his Test debut in the 2019 Rugby Championship, and would have travelled to the World Cup if Mtawarira or Kitshoff broke down with a serious injury. Now that Mtawarira has retired, Gqoboka, like Nche, will be looking to establish himself as a regular member of the match-day 23.

It’s not yet known when the restrictions will be lifted and when or if a competition like Super Rugby will resume. At the moment, it seems like the Tests against Scotland – initially scheduled for July – will be postponed for later in the year.

Coach Jacques Nienaber and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus had identified the July Test window as an opportunity to strengthen the wider Bok squad. A player such as Nche may have enjoyed a start against Georgia or may even have featured as a substitute in the bigger games against Scotland.

The Bok coaches will have to adjust their plans when the Test season eventually begins. It will be interesting to see where Nche – who has, as Mtawarira says, been one of South Africa’s standout performers – fits in.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Posted in Springboks, Top headlines Tagged Ox Nche, sharks, Springboks

Post by Jon Cardinelli

Jon Cardinelli

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×