Nche Ready For A Do-or-Die Match

The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into their Investec Champions Cup clash with Clermont at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon knowing that the outcome of their final pool match holds the key to their progression in the tournament. 

Clermont are winless to date, having lost all three of their Champions Cup commitments, and for Hollywoodbets Sharks prop Ox Nche, this match is something of a knock-out for his team, who know the importance riding on the result. 

“The aim is to get maximum points this week, as well as to improve our points-difference as much as possible,” Nche explains. 

“We’re going all-in, we see this as a play-off match.” 

Nche, the first prop to be nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year, added: “The general trend has been to play well and create lots of opportunities, but the problem has been skillset: a knock-on just before scoring a try, or a turn-over when the guys react a bit late. So, it’s the small things really. 

“But we are creating opportunities, we are playing well for parts of the game, we just have to stay focused for the entire 80.”

Sharks have only won one match in the Champions Cupm which came at home against Saracens. They go to the Clermont match having lost the last two matches in all competitions.

“They have a big pack with good loose forwards, they play a very expansive game, and while their set-piece is really good, they enjoy the offload game. They’ve been consistent in the way they’ve been playing, so it’s going to be a good challenge,” Nche continued, who was nominated for SA Rugby Player of the Year.

“As the forwards, we have to perform so our backs can shine.” 

Finishing the pool stages on a high is the ambition, and much of the mental state of the players is being harnessed under interim head coach JP Pietersen. 

“A lot of it is about our mental state; the guys have ability, some amazing ability, it’s about the change in mindset that coach JP is really working on,” he said. 

“There were a few moments in last week’s game that changed the outcome, but we were competitive and I don’t think we’re far off. We have guys with great ability, we just have to change the mindset and start believing in that ability.” 

Hollywoodbets Sharks
1.    Ox Nche
2.    Bongi Mbonambi
3.    Hanro Jacobs
4.    Corne Rahl
5.    Jason Jenkins
6.    Matt Romao
7.    Manu Tshituka
8.    Nick Hatton (C)
9.    Jaden Hendrikse
10.    Jordan Hendrikse
11.    PK Sobahle
12.    Jurenzo Julius
13.    Le Roux Malan
14.    Yaw Penxe
15.    Aphelele Fassi

Replacements
16.    Eduan Swart
17.    Phatu Ganyane
18.    Vincent Koch
19.    Emile van Heerden
20.    Phepsi Buthelezi
21.    Ross Braude
22.    Siya Masuku
23.    Hakeem Kunene