Nche: 'It's French DNA against Springbok DNA'
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok and Sharks prop Ox Nche is relishing the challenge of taking on Toulouse and test himself against “the best in the world” when the Sharks meet the French giants in the Champions Cup this Saturday.
It is a champion v champion clash – with the Toulouse the reigning Champions Cup holders and the Sharks getting promoted to the top tier competition after their Challenge Cup win against Gloucester last season.
Nche was full of praise for Toulouse but is looking forward to the challenge of facing them, especially up-front in the scrum battle.
“In the Top 14 it’s all about scrum set-piece and I think they’re a really good pack and have shown it,” Nche said.
“They’re probably the best team currently based on form.
“What I remember of scrummaging against those guys is that they’re very adaptable and trying new tricks.
“They have a system that works for them and they don’t go out of it.
“They’re going to be a very challenging pack and they work together.
“That one thing about them is you might think you have them at one scrum and then the next one they’ll come back.
“It will be a good challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
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The 29-year-old feels that it will be a ‘mini international’ with all the star power that will be on display from both sides and that the Boks in the Sharks team will use their expertise having played France who had a host of Toulouse players in the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal.
“They have a lot of internationals and so do we.
“Actually they’re playing according to the French’s DNA.
“They play with a bit of French flair, they’re unpredictable, they have good set-piece and just want to dominate you physically.
“And for us as well, somehow our expertise and how we played against France [as the Boks] and what to expect.
“We are a bunch of internationals who played against a lot of those guys.
“It is pretty much a lot of French DNA against a lot of Springbok DNA.
“It would be the second time we play Toulouse and I think it’s going to be exciting.”
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Nche feels that it’s his most exciting match for the Sharks to face a full-strength Toulouse outfit and is looking forward to test himself against them.
“Yes, definitely [is it his most exciting match] , Toulouse are the current Champions Cup holders and they’re absolutely on form.
“They’ve won two out of two [in the Champions Cup] home and away and they’re bringing a full-strength team to South Africa.
“I enjoy testing myself against the best in the world, and for me it’s something I look forward to.
“There isn’t a lot of teams that comes close to how Toulouse plays.
“The free-flowing of their game, their dominant set-piece, they way they gel together as a team.
“It’s something I’m willing to test myself against.”
