Ox boost for Boks
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The Springboks have breathed a sigh of relief over Ox Nche, as the world champions hinted at using the wider squad in their final Test of the year against Wales in Cardiff. DYLAN JACK reports.
Nche was a fitness concern for the Springboks in the countdown to the world champions' season finale against Wales on Saturday.
The World Cup winner came off early with a nasty gash above his knee which required stitches in a Bok victory against England at Twickenham.
However, assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed that the loosehead prop will be good to go if called on to front a struggling Wales side.
“Ox got a cut above his knee. He recovered well,” Davids said. “He did the gym session this morning. He, like all the other players, is available for selection.
“There are a couple of guys with bumps and bruises, but there aren’t a lot of concerns for us at this stage.”
Nche’s availability could be key against a Welsh side that, while coming off a record 11 consecutive losses, takes plenty of pride in their scrumming, their one source of strength in their recent heavy loss to the Wallabies.
The Springboks are already without Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and utility front rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels due to injury.
Their depth at loosehead in particular, showed when Vincent Koch had to shift across to loosehead when Gerhard Steenkamp, who replaced Nche at Twickenham, was yellow carded in the second half of that match.
Meanwhile, forwards coach Davids breathed a bit of life into talk from the ground that the Boks could rotate for Saturday’s clash, with rumours that Jordan Hendrikse could get a recall and Cameron Hanekom will get a Test debut.
MORE: Rassie to unleash Hendrikse bros, Hanekom?
Rassie Erasmus will name his team on Tuesday – earlier than he has done throughout the tour – which suggests that the Boks already have a good idea of who is going to take on the Dragons.
“That will be a decision that the head coach will make during this week,” Davids said when asked whether anyone will be released from the squad this week. “At this stage, our plan is for everyone to train in all positions. Everyone is available for selection.
“It has always been part of the plan to ensure that we win each Test match, but also that we get the balance right in terms of reaching our goals for the future with the players we have here.
“That will be taken into consideration with the selection and our planning for this week.”
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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