Although he didn’t win the coveted World Rugby 15s Men’s Player of the Year Award, that honour went to his Springbok front row team-mate Malcolm Marx. Ox Nche certainly carved a path of destruction in his wake in a season that delivered stunning fireworks.
The much-loved Hollywoodbets Sharks player produced an outstanding season that continued the fine form he has shown over the last few years, a loosehead prop who became the first in his position ever to be nominated for this elite award.
A scrummager of notable repute, his season ended early after the Springboks’ 61-07 defeat of Japan at Wembley Stadium when he suffered knee and ankle damage and was unable to play in the French test the following week and the remaining matches beyond that.
Still, he was acknowledged by World Rugby as one of the best and joined three other players, two of them fellow Springboks (Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marx), as well as French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
“To be nominated, I’m privileged to be in a great team, to be honest,” Nche said after his nomination, paying tribute to a team effort in being given the platform to shine on the world stage.
“That’s all I can say in regards to my nomination. It’s testament to the team. Come scrum time, I can’t scrum alone. I need the whole pack; I need everyone to buy in.
“I think every single player in the world aspires to be recognised as one of the best in the world, and when it actually happens, you can’t believe it. You get a bit emotional.
“You think of all the hours that you put in, all the work, all the sacrifices you have to go through.”
The World Rugby Dream Team of the Year was announced on Tuesday, and Nche once again found himself in the limelight, getting the nod amongst a further five Springboks to take six of the starting positions in the Dream Team.
World Rugby named an all-Bok front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, with Pieter-Steph du Toit also honoured for his relentless work rate at the international level.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half and wing Cheslin Kolbe completed the astounding inclusion of 40% South African players amongst the international nations that were considered.
Given the country’s status as World Champions and their successes this year, having opened up a three-point gap between themselves (93.34) and New Zealand in second (90.33), it was only fitting that Rassie Erasmus’ charges were recognised for their feats on the international stage.
There were two All Blacks, Australian and English players and one each from Scotland, Ireland and France to complete the Dream Team starting XV.