Ox is so destructive… start him” – Tendai Mtawarira’s Verdict on South Africa’s Ox Nche

Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, the legendary former South African prop, has delivered a resounding endorsement of Ox Nche, urging for his inclusion in the starting lineup for the Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks this Saturday. This call comes after Nche’s impressive performance in the semi-final, where he showcased his scrummaging prowess.

South Africa’s semi-final victory at the Stade de France brought back memories of their World Cup triumph four years ago. However, this time, it was a new loosehead prop, Ox Nche, who played a pivotal role in securing the win. Back in Yokohama, ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira had wreaked havoc, while in Paris, it was Nche who dominated after entering the match in the final 30 minutes.

In the wake of Nche’s remarkable performance against England, Tendai Mtawarira took to social media to express his sentiments. In a concise six-word message, he unequivocally advocated for Nche’s inclusion in the starting lineup. Mtawarira wrote, “Ox is so destructive… start him.”

The contribution of South Africa’s replacement front row, consisting of players like Nche, has been instrumental in the team’s success over the past four years. Their role is as crucial as that of the starting lineup. Whether Nche’s performance will influence the decision of head coach Jacques Nienaber and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus regarding the final remains uncertain. Nevertheless, he earned high praise from his teammates for securing their place in consecutive finals.

Captain Siya Kolisi lauded Nche’s performance following the 16-15 victory, as well as the performance of replacement tighthead prop Vincent Koch. He described their contributions as “really special.” Kolisi also emphasized the team’s pride in their scrummaging and acknowledged the hard work of the starting players, who laid the foundation for the success. The impact brought by the substitutes, including Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, and Bongi, was instrumental in elevating the team’s performance to another level and securing their place in the final.

As the anticipation builds for the World Cup final clash against the All Blacks, the spotlight remains on the incredible skills and contributions of Ox Nche, as recognized by Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira and his fellow teammates. The decision on whether Nche will start in the final will be eagerly awaited by fans and players alike.