Springbok Star Ox Nché Out With Serious Injury!
The Springboks have suffered a major setback ahead of their clash with France, with loosehead prop Ox Nché ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to a serious leg injury. The injury occurred during the first half of South Africa's dominant 61-7 victory over Japan at Wembley.
Coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the severity of the injury, stating, "It's pretty serious. I don’t think he’ll play the rest of this tour. It happened in a tackle situation – his ankle and knee – so unfortunately he’s out." Nché was seen on crutches after the match, confirming the bad news for the Boks.
Replacement Incoming?
Erasmus indicated that the team is likely to call up a replacement for Nché. While Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit offer options, the coach expressed concern about depth at loosehead. "We’ve got Gerhard Steenekamp, who played well tonight, and Thomas du Toit back next week. But if another loosehead goes down, we’ll be in trouble, so we’ll probably bring in Asenathi Ntlabakanye. Thomas can swing between tighthead and loosehead for us if needed."
This injury adds to the Springboks' front-row woes, as Jan-Hendrik Wessels is already sidelined with an eight-week suspension. This leaves the world champions thin in that area as they prepare to face a formidable French side in Paris.
Tough Test Ahead
Erasmus warned that the upcoming Test against France would be a significant step up in intensity. "We know what it’s like playing France away – it’s a real pressure cooker," he said. "Most of the guys have experienced that atmosphere before. We’ll need to be really intelligent and physical this week to be ready."
Captain Siya Kolisi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation. "It was special playing in London again and great to see all the South Africans who came out to support us," he said. "We’re going to need that backing for the next four games – starting with France."
The Springboks now face a daunting challenge in Paris, made even more difficult by the loss of a key player in Ox Nché. How will they adapt and overcome this setback?