Ox Nché is gearing up for a monumental scrum showdown with fellow Springbok Wilco Louw this Saturday in Cape Town. The clash between these two rugby titans is set as the Sharks and Stormers face off in a thrilling coastal derby during the third round of the URC.
The Sharks are currently leading the standings, having secured commanding bonus-point victories over both Ospreys and Leinster at Kings Park. Meanwhile, the Stormers are coming off a mixed European tour where they defeated Connacht but fell short against Edinburgh.
Last week, the Sharks were bolstered by the return of their Springboks, including Nché who made a significant impact from the bench, entering the game at the 54-minute mark against Leinster. Under the guidance of Coach JP Pietersen, the Sharks managed to dominate the scrums, a key factor in their victory over the reigning champions.
The Stormers, coached by John Dobson, are also welcoming back their Bok players. Notably, tighthead prop Louw is set to appear for the Cape Town side for the first time since his move from the Bulls. His matchup with Nché is highly anticipated.
"It’s always exciting when you go up against guys who you play with," Nché noted. "It’s a great challenge to play against them, but I honestly don’t see it as a me thing. It’s more about what we can do as a pack, how well we prepare together."
Nché shared that the team was somewhat surprised by their dominance up front against Leinster. He emphasized the importance of being prepared to assert control in scrums which could lead to significant territorial advantage through penalties.
"We prepare to be dominant in our set-pieces, and we felt that our scrum could put pressure on them, disrupt them a bit," he explained. "It did make a big difference because you can win 30 to 40m if you get a penalty from a scrum. It just gives the team momentum and we can play in the opposition half and put pressure on them."
With JP Pietersen at the helm, Nché feels the Sharks are carving out a distinct identity characterized by physicality, speed, and relentlessness. This approach isn't just rhetoric but something the team actively strives to display on the field.
"If you’re watching us, you should have an idea what the DNA of the team is. We’re really trying our best to show that and get the DNA of the team across, so people don’t just hear it, but actually see it," added Nché, underscoring the team's efforts to embody their strategic vision.
This upcoming match not only features a fascinating personal duel between two top forwards but also has significant implications for the URC standings, with both teams eager to assert their dominance early in the season.
