Ox Nche out of the season due to injury. Image credit: SA Rugby Magazine
(The Post News) – Springbok prop Ox Nche’s tour has come to an unfortunate end after he suffered a serious injury during South Africa’s clash with Japan on Saturday. The front-rower was forced off the field early in the first half following a heavy collision with Japan captain Warner Dearns, and was replaced by Gerhard Steenekamp after just 20 minutes.
It was Steenekamp’s first appearance for the Boks this year, having only recently recovered from his own injury troubles. Despite the long layoff, he impressed on his return, putting in a strong shift for over an hour, especially in the scrums, and continuing the solid platform that Nche had set before going off.
According to Planet Rugby, Erasmus sympathised with Nche “It is serious, I don’t think he’ll play again for the rest of the tour,” he said. “He hurt his ankle and knees in the tackle; he’s on crutches at the moment. Unfortunately, we have lost him.”
Ox Nche replacement
Thomas du Toit, who has been playing mainly at tighthead for both Bath and the Springboks, is also expected to fill the gap, as he’s capable of switching between both sides of the scrum. Meanwhile, Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been called up as additional front-row cover.
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