Following the match, Rennie aired his grievances again about the Springboks' approach to scrummaging, a sentiment met with staunch opposition from the Boks' side, notably from Rassie Erasmus.
"We not f**king walking around!"
Nché, celebrating his 50th cap, spoke out during a post-game media session. He expressed frustration over the time wasted in scrums due to differing interpretations of the rules by the involved parties.
"It’s all about interpretation. As we all know, rugby has laws… coaches, referees, and players interpret it differently. The whole thing is if a forward pack is going forward all together, then they’re going forward. We wasted a lot of time in scrums today just because we all had different interpretations. But it’s his opinion, it’s the way he interprets it, and I have nothing to say on that."
Nché was also irked by the numerous resets that dominated the scrummage battles throughout the encounter.
"As a forward pack, we want scrum completions. The scrum is a contest of two packs and I wasn’t too happy... Hopefully there are fewer resets next week and more completions," he conveyed, showcasing his hope for a smoother contest in the scrums in upcoming matches.
Reflecting on reaching a personal milestone alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, Nché delved into a moment of reflection and appreciation for his journey and supporters.
"Looking back at the journey, I even sent one of my high school coaches a message this afternoon… It was a day about really looking into reflection, to see how far I’ve come. And all the people who believed in me and backed me throughout the years, that’s all I wanted to do. I hope to make them proud and just keep going," Nché mused, sharing the emotional commemoration of his achievements.
In response to their bounce back from a defeat in Johannesburg, Nché highlighted the team's proactive approach to improvement. He emphasized the importance of addressing their own mistakes to enhance their performance.
Anticipating the third test of the series at FNB Stadium, Nché expressed excitement and anticipated a significant challenge for both teams involved, hoping for a sold-out event and a grand spectacle.
"I’m hoping it’s sold out, and it’s going to be massive. It’s going to be a challenge for both teams," said Nché, his eyes set on the next confrontation.
Ox Nché’s sentiments not only cap a pivotal game in the series but also highlight the intense scrutiny and passionate debates that define the sport at its highest level.
