Ox Nche, the Springboks' loosehead prop, has recently been praised by injured All Blacks counterpart Tamaiti Williams for his outstanding performances in the ongoing Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Nche's prowess in scrummaging has played a pivotal role in the Springboks leading the series 2-1 against the All Blacks as the teams head to Baltimore for the final Test.
Despite battling a spinal infection that has sidelined him, Williams avidly follows each match, switching roles from player to fan. His enthusiasm for the game is undiminished, as he shared on "The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Australia & New Zealand" podcast.
"I love watching rugby. My dad’s called me four times today talking about the scrums and it’s been a positive part of this process being a fan again. I feel like a little boy watching the team you dream to play for."
The conversation also turned to Nche's specific skills during a discussion with former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, who was curious about what set Nche apart from other props in the scrum.
"I reckon he can get into positions and get out of positions better than anyone. He’s so strong where other people could be vulnerable."
Williams highlighted Nche's exceptional ability to maintain power in crucial moments, stating that the Springbok's confidence in his scrum prowess is a significant psychological advantage.
“He’s a freak and he’s made a name for the way he’s played. And I guess it’s a confidence thing too, right? When you’re going well, you usually have more confidence and he’s full of confidence when it comes to scrums," Williams explained.
Indeed, Nche's mindset during the games speaks volumes about his approach, as evidenced by an incident Williams recalled. "I think the weekend (in Soweto) we knocked the ball on and he didn’t even want to keep playing. He’s like, ‘we’ll take the scrum, sir’."
This mentality, according to Williams, is what truly differentiates good scrummagers from great ones. It's not just about physical strength, but also about how confidently a player commands the set-piece.
Ox Nche's performances underscore a broader narrative of skill and tactical prowess that the Springboks have consistently displayed, giving them an edge in critical moments of the series. As the final test looms, the rugby world watches eagerly to see if the All Blacks can counter the formidable Springbok scrum, spearheaded by Nche's strategic brilliance.
