Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick dropped the latest update on Ox Nche's condition after the powerhouse prop was sidelined from the upcoming clash with Argentina. Initially set to scrum down at Kings Park, Nche had to bow out with a pesky "niggle," causing a bit of a shuffle in the Boks' lineup just a day before game time.
Stepping up to fill Nche's sizable boots is Boan Venter, a man who apparently has glue on his hands because every opportunity thrown his way sticks. "Every time he’s had an opportunity, he’s grabbed it with both hands," boasted Stick about his new starting loosehead prop. Meanwhile, flanker Marco van Staden now finds himself moonlighting as hooker cover, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels will add some muscle to the bench in the loosehead role.
"I don’t think it will disrupt the team because Boan has been with us throughout the season,"
Regarding Nche's unfortunate hiccup, Stick reassured fans that it's nothing to lose sleep over but emphasized the importance of playing it safe. "We wanted to give him the best chance to recover from a niggle he picked up against New Zealand. He’s not 100%, so we don’t want to push things, so we decided to pull him. Hopefully by next week he’ll have fully recovered, but he’s not far from being ready."
The Springboks are slated to meet Argentina again on the grand stage of Twickenham on October 4th, giving Nche a bit more time to mend. Until then, it’s up to Venter and the rejigged bench to keep the scrum steady and the Bok flag flying high.
Springboks lineup: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Boan Venter. Bench: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen.
2,193 posts
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick dropped the latest update on Ox Nche's condition after the powerhouse prop was sidelined from the upcoming clash with Argentina. Initially set to scrum down at Kings Park, Nche had to bow out with a pesky "niggle," causing a bit of a shuffle in the Boks' lineup just a day before game time.
Stepping up to fill Nche's sizable boots is Boan Venter, a man who apparently has glue on his hands because every opportunity thrown his way sticks. "Every time he’s had an opportunity, he’s grabbed it with both hands," boasted Stick about his new starting loosehead prop. Meanwhile, flanker Marco van Staden now finds himself moonlighting as hooker cover, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels will add some muscle to the bench in the loosehead role.
"I don’t think it will disrupt the team because Boan has been with us throughout the season,"
Regarding Nche's unfortunate hiccup, Stick reassured fans that it's nothing to lose sleep over but emphasized the importance of playing it safe. "We wanted to give him the best chance to recover from a niggle he picked up against New Zealand. He’s not 100%, so we don’t want to push things, so we decided to pull him. Hopefully by next week he’ll have fully recovered, but he’s not far from being ready."
The Springboks are slated to meet Argentina again on the grand stage of Twickenham on October 4th, giving Nche a bit more time to mend. Until then, it’s up to Venter and the rejigged bench to keep the scrum steady and the Bok flag flying high.
Springboks lineup: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Boan Venter. Bench: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen.