7 October 2026
The Hollywoodbets Sharks are steeling themselves for a massive set-piece examination against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town this Saturday. Fresh off a powerful scrumming performance against Leinster, the Durban franchise expects a bruising frontline battle at DHL Stadium. Both teams pride themselves on forward dominance, setting up a heavyweight coastal derby in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Springbok loosehead prop Ox Nché has downplayed the brewing individual micro-battle with international teammate Wilco Louw. The destructive scrummager insists the contest will be decided by collective pack cohesion rather than individual reputations. Nché said that the visitors are targeting complete eight-man alignment to anchor their set-piece platform.
“It’s always exciting when you go up against guys you play with,” said Nché. “It’s obviously a great challenge to play against him, but I don’t see it as a ‘me’ thing. Essentially we have to work together as a pack to make sure we achieve what we want to at the end of the day.”
Nché stressed that physical dominance forms the core DNA of the Sharks' playing identity rather than being mere talk. The Durban outfit plans to use their set-piece aggressively to choke the Stormers' options and control the territory battle.
“It’s been a pretty big focus for us to be physical,” the Springbok prop said. “We don’t just use it as words or a catchphrase. We actually want to be able to apply it, and it should be evident if you’re watching that you should have an idea what the DNA of the team is.”
The Sharks secured critical penalties against Leinster, weaponising their scrum to launch devastating attacking phases from deep inside opposition territory. Nché believes replication of that set-piece pressure will be the definitive factor in shifting momentum during the derby.
“We prepare to be dominant in our set-pieces,” Nché said. “The scrums will definitely be a point where we can put pressure on them and disrupt them a bit. You win like 30 to 40 metres if you get a penalty from a scrum. It just gives the team momentum, and we can play in their half and put pressure on them.”