'We don't see it as seven Scottish guys and Pierre'
SPOTLIGHT: There will be no special treatment for Scotland’s South African-born players on the field, according to Bok prop Retshegofaditswe Nché.
Over the last few seasons, Scotland has been bolstered by a few South Africans making their way up north – with loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman one of the latest additions.
The 27-year-old made his Scotland debut against Tonga last month and he also started in the 15-13 victory over the Wallabies last weekend.
There is also another SA-born prop, Oliver Kebble, who has played off the bench in the last two games.
The Scots also have powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe, who represented the British and Irish Lions this year.
Kyle Steyn, who scored four tries against Tonga, was not included in the Scotland team for Saturday’s clash.
When asked if facing those players, especially Schoeman in the pack, will get the Boks pumped up, Nché replied: “I wouldn’t say it’s extra motivation.
“We have a goal to achieve for the weekend. In terms of what we have planned against their pack, it is not against one individual guy [Schoeman], but it’s the entire pack.
“We have pride in our physicality. We have eight South Africans in our pack and it’s against eight Scottish guys.”
Nché added: “We don’t see it as seven Scottish guys and Pierre.
“We see it as eight Scottish guys against eight South Africans. We just want to exert our plan onto them. That’s the real focus.”
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“There is always something more to learn even for a master”-Po 🐼(Kung Fu Panda)
***queues suitable ‘Master Shifu’ sensei melody ;to go with the picture😌**
⛩🥋⛩ pic.twitter.com/j1OKZ5MsZy
— Retshegofaditswe Nche (@oxnche) November 10, 2021
Massive scrum battle
Scotland destroyed the Wallabies at scrum time and Nché knows the Boks will be tested in that department at Murrayfield.
“It is a different kind of battle. The [scrum] coach is Pieter de Villiers and I have worked with him in my Under-20 career and with SA Schools,” said the 26-year-old Bok prop.
“I know he is a pretty good coach and you could see how well they did against Australia.
“We are expecting a different challenge and they do have some pride in their set-piece and mauling and they have gotten a lot of reward from that.”
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