Rassie hails Ox, Pieter-Steph as Springbok ‘pillars of strength’
· Citizen
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus heaped praise on Ox Nché and Pieter-Steph du Toit ahead of their milestone match on Saturday.
Prop Nché will play his 50th and utility forward Du Toit his 100th Test match for the Springboks in the second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
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Both played in the first Test at Ellis Park, which the Springboks lost 33-16 despite controlling possession, territory and the scrum battle for much of the game, before momentum shifted to the visitors around the hour mark.
Centre Damian de Allende became the 10th Springbok to earn 100 Tests in that game.
Willie le Roux and Siya Kolisi earned their 100th caps last year, in victories against Italy and France, respectively
‘Remarkable achievement’
Nché was solid for the Springboks at Ellis Park, effecting a few scrum penalties along with Wilco Louw before they were both substituted.
Du Toit was largely quiet, but could captain South Africa again in the second Test, should Siya Kolisi fail to have recovered sufficiently from his hamstring injury.
“Pieter-Steph and Ox have been pillars of strength for us on and off the field, and they both deserve these accolades,” said Erasmus.
“It is a remarkable achievement to play 100 Test matches, and for Pieter-Steph to deliver week in and week out the way he has over the years is incredible.
“We are equally proud of Ox for the player and team man he has grown into, and to see him reach 50 Test caps is fantastic.”
Still, Erasmus said their focus is completely on bouncing back on Saturday.
“If we can do that, hopefully we will make it a memorable day for them.”
Nché and Du Toit are humble Springboks
The Springbok coach added that he was proud of both players and they deserved their milestones.
“I’m glad Ox got through a good 45 minutes (coming back from a knee injury), only playing seven minutes over the previous seven weeks. He was really good and will be better still in this game.
“We come a long way. I’ve coached them for nine to 10 years. They’re humble guys, just like Damian de Allende, 100%.
“Pieter-Steph is such a down-to-earth guy. He doesn’t talk much, and prefers being on the farm.
“Ox has a remarkable story, coming from the Cheetahs… and becoming one of the best props in the world.”