How 'The Ox's' PRO14 stats absolutely backed up the hype around his carrying
Despite interest from other rugby clubs, Ox Nche last week decided to extend his contract with the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Bloemfontein fan favourite, who earned his Springbok cap against Wales in June this year has committed until 2019.
And there's a reason he's a fan favourite too, his explosive carrying.
According to Opta stats, Nche gained 347 metres in the PRO14 last season, over twice as many as any other prop, while he was also the prop for clean breaks (9) and defenders beaten (19).
At the age of 22, Nche already played 64 games for the Toyota Cheetahs (25 SuperRugby, 17 Currie Cup, 22 PRO14).
Nche was born in Thaba Nchu, he first earned provincial selection in 2011, when he was included in the Free State squad that participated at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in Queenstown. Nche attended HTS Louis Botha and soon became a promising prop. He played for SA Schools in 2012/13, SA U20 in 2015 and SA A in 2017.
In 2014 he joined the Toyota Cheetah Academy and was a key player for the Free State U19 team in the Provincial Championship, starting all thirteen of their matches in the competition as his side finished second on the log.
Nche brings excitement to a game and Free State Rugby are understandably looking forward to seeing him in action in the upcoming matches.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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