Rugby: Nché wants South Africa to fix weaknesses
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
South African prop Ox Nché believes the Springboks must fix weaknesses exposed against Italy before facing France. The match is scheduled for Friday in Paris as part of the Nations Championship, according to TimesLIVE.
South African prop Ox Nché expects a physical clash with France on Friday at the Stade de France, where the scrum should be one of the key areas of the Nations Championship rugby match, according to TimesLIVE. Nché, who has already faced the French in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final and in last year’s Test match, believes the South African forwards must return to their usual level.
The Springboks are coming off a 66-7 win over Italy in Turin, but their first half was marked by difficulties in the scrum and lineout mauls, TimesLIVE reports. South Africa notably came under pressure in the first three or four scrums and allowed Italy to dictate the pace in the opening minutes.
Against France, the statistics from the last meeting in Paris favour the South Africans: they won all six of their own scrums in last year’s match, compared with two out of four for France, according to TimesLIVE. The Springboks played the entire second half with 14 men after a sending-off and won 43-17; their 29-28 victory at the same venue in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final was much closer. This preparation comes as the Springboks fear French tactical surprises.
