Ox rues 'off script' Springboks in loss to Australia
REACTION: One of the most experienced Springboks in the side, Ox Nche, insists the Boks must focus and execute better as they prepare for Saturday’s must-win Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies.
The 42-Test cap prop cut a disappointed figure after the Springbok Test at Ellis Park on Saturday, after the Wallabies outscored the Boks six tries to three.
The visitors overturned a 22-0 lead by the hosts after 20 minutes, and Nche described the demise of the Boks as a failure to execute their plans in the second half.
“The first half we played very well, we played like we planned. In the second half, we tried too many different things. We were our own worst enemies,” the loosehead prop said.
“We didn’t actually execute our plan. I think that was the main problem. We didn’t get our processes. Even when we were winning, we were quite hard on ourselves for the mere fact that we just couldn’t tick our boxes.
“In this game, we ticked them in the first half, and then in the second half, we absolutely went off script,” he summarised.
“At halftime, the chat was simply to stick to the plan and execute things, as it was working. But we just went off the script in the second half.
“They scored three easy tries early on, and it wasn’t from a good set piece. They were just more active and ready, and they pounced ahead.
According to Nche, the Boks now have to see every match in the tournament as must-win games.
“If we want to win the Rugby Championship, we have to win every single game.
“We have to build confidence… so next week is a must-win and we have to get as many points as we can get.
“They just seemed more prepared than we were, and they used every opportunity they got, whereas we didn’t. Everyone just started going off on their own plan instead of sticking to the plan we had as a team.”
“For me personally, it means more hard work, more preparation. Whatever you did last week, do more of it… We’ve played against them and know how it felt. The only thing we can do is just execute every single thing better.”
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