Springbok prop Ox Nche participated in his 50th Test match against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on Saturday. The match occurred amid heightened tensions regarding scrum interpretations between the coaches of both teams.
The Greatest Rivalry in Rugby
The rivalry in rugby has escalated following a public disagreement between Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his All Black counterpart, Dave Rennie, concerning how scrums should be interpreted. Despite these criticisms, Bok prop Ox Nche maintained that his approach is simply to play according to the 'man in the middle.'
Dave Rennie had previously alleged that the Boks were 'walking around' during the second Test held at DHL Stadium, a match which the hosts won 33-26, leveling the series at 1-1. In response, Rassie Erasmus reacted strongly, defending his squad's scrumming methods and dismissing the claims as 'nonsense' intended for media consumption.
Erasmus elaborated on his stance, stating that the accusation of 'walking around' was clearly a tactic to disseminate a specific message, adding that they would not remain silent and concede the point. He asserted, 'We weren’t f*****g walking around, we’re scrumming through,' and noted, 'We’ve never, ever, ever been accused of walking around, so I don’t understand it.'
Nche, who started the game but was later substituted to mark his 50th Bok appearance, supported his coach's statements. However, he emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the referee. Nche explained that their scrum has consistently aimed to pass directly through the opposing pack. He suggested that Rennie might perceive the action differently or form a certain view of their pack, pointing out that rugby laws allow for interpretation rather than having only one prescribed method.
The All Blacks' strategy in the second Test involved rapidly moving the ball from the locks to the backline, allowing scrumhalf Cam Roigardt to clear it, specifically to curb the Boks' control in the scrums. Furthermore, the frequent calls to reset the scrums frustrated Nche. He commented that the team attempted to make the scrum competitive but suffered from excessive resets, which consumed too much time. He acknowledged that the onus was on them to improve, noting that while they tried to implement tactics like using a break foot and positioning hookers correctly, they did not achieve the desired outcome, requiring adaptation for the next game.
Despite the on-field challenges, the former HTS Louis Botha learner expressed satisfaction in celebrating his milestone Test with a victory. He mentioned that although starting the game would have been ideal, the late substitution was accepted. He expressed trust in the coaching staff and the established system, believing he was part of the team's plan. His thoughts were focused on the individuals who supported him from the very beginning, including primary school and high school coaches who encouraged him and believed in him when others did. He concluded by expressing gratitude for the opportunity and hoping to make those supporters proud in every game he plays.