When it comes to pulverizing the opposition in the scrum, Ox Nche is pretty much a heavyweight champ. With 40 caps under his belt, he's practically the wise old man amongst the Springboks' props, especially with stalwarts like Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane out of the picture. But fear not, rugby aficionados, because according to Ox, the Bok scrum future is looking as tight as a drum.
Nche has taken Lions powerhouse Asenathi Ntlabakanye under his wing and the young gun is earning rave reviews.
"He’s a good player, he works hard, has rugby IQ, and he loves the game."
Ox revealed that even after grueling sessions, Asenathi’s passion for the game shines through, acknowledging the grind but embracing the challenge.But let’s not forget the other young guns making waves. Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Boan Venter are knocking so loudly on the selection door, you’d think someone would just let them in already. Ox certainly feels the heat, noting that the emerging talent is pushing him to elevate his game even further. "I know that the better Jan-Hendrik is, the more he pushes himself, the more I have to push," he admitted.
There’s no shortage of muscle in this squad, with Boan Venter described as a formidable ball-carrier and a maestro in the set piece. Meanwhile, Jan-Hendrik is all about speed and strength, covering the field like a back in a prop’s body.
"If I go off and Jan-Hendrik or Boan come on, I have no doubts about what to expect."
It’s clear that the bar is set sky-high, and everyone is reaching for it.Ox also threw some praise towards Thomas du Toit, who’s been causing a stir over in England with his performances. It’s all about synergy for these guys, a brotherhood intent on boosting rather than busting each other’s balls. As Ox put it, the goal is to uplift, improve, and ultimately, dominate together. That’s the Springbok way.
With such talent stacked up, it's safe to say the Bok scrum will remain a fearsome force. Opponents, you've been warned.