Autumn Nations Series: South Africa boosted by Ox Nche recovery, but will 'respect' Wales despite record poor run
By Becky Hart
Updated 18/11/2024 at 18:01 GMT
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South Africa’s assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed Ox Nche will be firing fit to take on Wales in their Autumn Nations Series clash on Saturday in Cardiff. Davids acknowledged that Wales are never an easy side to play at home - despite their recent run of results, which has seen them fall to a record 11th consecutive defeat.
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World champions South Africa have been boosted by the speedy recovery of Ox Nche ahead of their trip to the Principality Stadium on Saturday to take on Wales - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Nche hobbled off the field in last weekend's victory over England at Twickenham with a deep cut above his knee, and the Springboks were forced to re-jig their front row when their other loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp wound up in the sin bin.
But assistant coach Deon Davids has confirmed that Nche should be good to go this weekend.
“Ox got a cut above his knee but he recovered well. He went to the gym this morning and he, like any other players, are available for selection,” Davids told the media, per Planet Rugby.
Nche's return alleviates one selection headache for South Africa, who are so-far perfect in November having beaten Scotland at Murrayfield, on top of their England triumph.
Now they turn their attentions to Wales - a team on a record 11-match losing streak - with pressure seemingly mounting on head coach Warren Gatland. But Davids was keen to point out that a third win from three was not guaranteed for the Springboks.
“Wales showed what a gutsy team they are [on Sunday]. Unfortunately, they started a bit slow but they came back and showed that they are a team that shows effort, but then Australia pulled away from them towards the end,” he added.
“There are areas in the game that they were good at. Their scrums were good and they were unlucky to lose a player like [Adam] Beard so early in the Test match that maybe influenced their rhythm in the line-outs.
"They are a team that maybe isn’t in a good place, but in terms of their effort and how they fought back, it’s a team that we respect.
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“We know they don’t go away and we have to bring our A-game. We approach every Test match with pride and we have a lot of respect for our opponents and it won’t be any different this week.”
Wales' tough start to the Autumn Nations Series saw them suffer a 24-19 defeat to Fiji, before enduring a 52-20 drubbing by Australia.
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