Springbok prop Ox Nche has observed an increased sense of unity and belief within the Sharks squad this season. He believes that a stronger feeling of connection and cohesion has contributed to a noticeably different atmosphere in the Sharks as the team prepares for the United Rugby Championship derby against Stormers on Saturday.
Although Nche joined the Sharks recently, missing pre-season training, he felt the changes after only two campaign matches compared to the squad he observed over the previous three seasons.
The Sharks confirmed their first victory over Ospreys with an impressive win against Leinster, gaining early momentum before traveling to Cape Town. However, for Nche, the most significant difference was not so much the results, but how the squad itself functions.
Ahead of the upcoming match at Cape Town Stadium, Nche stated: 'Undoubtedly, I think we are not just saying words. One thing I saw is that there are real actions, and we do what we say. Just more belief and connection among ourselves. We are all in the same mood. We are more cohesive, if I may say so. I am enjoying it. There was definitely a difference compared to the previous three seasons.'
This sense of cohesion was evident in the first two performances of the Sharks, where their physical approach and willingness to work for each other helped them overcome two tough opponents. Nevertheless, Nche believes that the team's task now is to ensure that this early progress becomes a sustainable part of the collective identity, rather than just a short-term boost after a good start.
URC Championship
Saturday's derby should serve as a useful indicator of this progress, as Stormers return home for the first time this season after securing one win and one loss in their first two encounters. Sharks also have additional motivation due to the trip to Cape Town after they secured a double victory over Stormers in the league last season, although Nche is focused solely on the present moment, not past achievements.
Since familiar Springbok players are likely to be on the opposite side of the field, the match will have much personal intrigue, but Nche views the contest through the prism of the collective. His message aligns with the cultural shift he has noticed since returning to the Sharks: individual battles are less important than the group moving in one direction. Given that the Sharks are already showing signs of a stronger collective identity, Saturday's derby will provide another opportunity to see if this belief can transform into consistent performances against one of South Africa's heavyweights.