Ox Nche Calls Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series 'One of the Hardest 4 Weeks' of His Career

• Springboks prop Ox Nche opened up about the physical and mental demands of the four-Test series against the All Blacks
• Nche played more than 185 minutes across the series, starting three of the four matches as South Africa won 3-1
• The 52-Test prop has been named on the bench for the upcoming clash against the Wallabies in Australia

Springboks tighthead prop Ox Nche has described the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks as among the most demanding stretches of his career, saying the four-week campaign pushed him to his limits as a professional rugby player.

Speaking to RugbyPass and The Daily Telegraph at a coaching clinic for 40 children at Perth's UWA Rugby Centre on Friday, 25 September 2026, Nche said the series was both an honour and an ordeal.

"It was a great honour to be part of it, but it was one of the hardest four weeks that I've ever had as a rugby player, from when I started playing rugby," he said.

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Nche clocks over 185 minutes

Nche featured in all four matches of the series, starting three of them and contributing a key stint off the bench in the second Test, a 33-26 victory for the Boks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. South Africa ultimately won the series 3-1, with matches also played in Johannesburg and Baltimore. The 52-Test prop accumulated more than 185 minutes of action across the four fixtures.

Despite the gruelling schedule, Nche pointed to areas where improvement is still possible.

"There's a lot to improve on," he said.

"Now we're looking forward to Australia and the Nations [Championship] at the end of the year. We just have to try to build towards the next World Cup."

Nche credited much of his development to the collective standards within the Springboks squad, saying there was significant pressure that came with being recognised as a pack that scrummaged well. He added that the team always tried to ensure they maintained that standard and took pride in their scrum performance in every game.

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Boks bench loaded with experience

Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the starting line-up for the upcoming Test against Australia, with only Eben Etzebeth and Ethan Hooker retaining their places from the Baltimore fixture. Nche has been named among the replacements, joining a bench that carries 342 Test caps of combined experience.

Malcolm Marx, who was named 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year after receiving the trophy from Springboks legend Victor Matfield last November, is also set to feature off the bench. Jasper Wiese is in line to earn his 50th cap.

South Africa remain the top-ranked side in world rugby, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup now 53 weeks away. The Boks are seeking to become the first team to win the tournament three consecutive times.

Source: Briefly News