Nche is delighted to have Du Toit back
IT WILL be of reassurance to the Sharks that their best performance in Super Rugby Unlocked was their emphatic away win against the Pumas, who they host tonight in the opening round of the Currie Cup.
After losing heavily to the Bulls, the Sharks responded with a handsome victory over the Pumas in Nelspruit, and that hard- fought victory remains fresh in their minds.
“When we played the Pumas up there we had to get on top of them physically, and that remains the priority now that we have them at home,” loosehead prop Ox Nche said.
“They are a side that has to be put away early otherwise they wear you down and gain confidence the longer they are in the game,” the 25- year- old said. “So we have to use the tools and artillery at our disposal to keep them in their place, and it is very helpful that we have Thomas du Toit back from injury.”
Nche has been part of a Sharks set scrum that struggled in Super Rugby Unlocked without ever being fully vanquished.
“We have had our challenges,” Nche admitted. “But we are growing gradually as a forward pack, and that is a good sign – it is not easy when you have had front row forwards getting injured or unavailable because of Covdi- 19, it messes up the rhythm, but Thomas is back and we have our old Super Rugby front row now.”
Nche said that Du Toit’s Rugby World Cup experience is inspirational.
“Thomas was part of the squad that won the World Cup, and his presence settles everyone down,” Nche said. “Thomas brings in that experience that makes you want to do the basics right.
“We know that the forwards have to pick up their game so that the backs can have decent ball, and we are up for that,” Nche said
Starting XV: Manie Libbok, Yaw Penxe, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Madosh Tambwe, Curwin Bosch, Sanele Nohamba, Thembelani Boli, JJ van der Mescht, Dylan Richardson, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Thomas du Toit, Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Hanro Jacobs, Zain Davids, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Cameron Wright, Werner Kok, Sbu Nkosi