Wilco Louw And Ox Nché Set For Mouthwatering URC Scrum Battle
- Ox Nché is preparing for a fascinating Springbok-on-Springbok battle when the Sharks face the Stormers in a highly anticipated URC derby
- The Sharks prop has explained why facing Wilco Louw is about much more than a personal showdown, with the forward pack expected to play a crucial role
- Nché’s comments come as the Sharks look to build on an impressive start to the URC season and continue establishing their physical identity under JP Pietersen
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Ox Nché is looking forward to facing fellow Springbok Wilco Louw when the Sharks travel to Cape Town for a United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
The pair could go head-to-head in the front row, creating one of the most intriguing individual contests of the coastal derby. Louw is set to make his first appearance for the Stormers since returning from the Bulls, while Nché featured prominently in the Sharks’ dominant scrum display against Leinster last weekend.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Nché welcomed the opportunity to face a player he knows well from the Springbok setup.
“It’s always exciting when you go up against guys who you play with,” Nché said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
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“It’s a great challenge to play against them, but I honestly don’t see it as a me thing. It’s more about what we can do as a pack, how well we prepare together.”
Sharks put pack first
Nché stressed that the Sharks’ preparation would focus on the collective rather than turning the match into a personal duel.
“We essentially have to work together as a pack to make sure that our pack does better,” he said.
The Sharks have made an impressive start to the URC campaign, collecting bonus-point victories against the Ospreys and defending champions Leinster at Kings Park.
Their scrum was particularly effective against Leinster, helping the Durban side maintain pressure and territory.
“We prepare to be dominant in our set-pieces,” Nché said. “We felt that our scrum could put pressure on them, disrupt them a bit.”
He added that a scrum penalty can produce a significant territorial advantage, saying:
“You can win 30 to 40m if you get a penalty from a scrum.”
Springbok heavyweights set for Cape Town showdown
The Stormers will provide a different challenge, with their returning Springboks adding further physicality to the contest.
Nché said the Sharks are concentrating on understanding the Stormers’ overall system rather than preparing specifically for individual opponents.
The Sharks currently sit top of the URC standings after two rounds, while the Stormers return home following a mixed European tour.
The clash takes place at DHL Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 South African time.
For Nché, however, the message remains simple: the scrum battle may grab the headlines, but the pack will determine who gains the upper hand.
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Ox Nché gains fresh backing for World Rugby Player of the Year
Briefly News previously reported that Ox Nché’s performances had earned attention beyond South Africa, with former England internationals Ben Youngs and Dan Cole adding their voices to the conversation around the Springbok prop’s individual credentials.
Youngs praised Nché’s all-round contribution, highlighting his carrying, scrummaging, tackling, mauling and breakdown work. He also joked about the loosehead’s ability to step into the scrumhalf role, saying: “No nine, no problems – Ox has got you.”
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Source: Briefly News
