Tamaiti Williams, watching the Greatest Rivalry series from the sidelines while recovering from a spinal infection, offered one of the more technically grounded tributes to Ox Nche you'll hear from the opposition. When Kieran Read pressed him on what separates Nche from other loosehead props, Williams pointed to positional flexibility under pressure — the ability to get into and out of dominant positions that would leave others exposed — combined with raw strength and, crucially, mindset. His anecdote about Nche actively calling for a scrum after a Springbok knock-on in Soweto captures it well: this is a prop who hunts scrums rather than tolerates them. Williams also noted that Nche's confidence feeds on itself, and that the Springbok scrum as a collective system amplifies what he brings individually. With the Boks heading into the Baltimore decider holding a 2-1 series lead, it's a timely reminder of where that dominance is being built.
All Blacks front-rower: Ox Nche is a 'freak' who dominates through mindset, not just power
Tamaiti Williams breaks down what makes Ox Nche the world's most feared loosehead — positional mastery, physical dominance, and a scrum-hunting mentality that Williams says is as much psychological as technical.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Contepomi's warning: Boks are dangerous precisely because attack and forward dominance now combine
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger isn't attack or forward dominance in isolation — it's that Tony Brown's influence has made them fluent in both, with the football intelligence to switch between them at will. A sharp external read ahead of the England test.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.
Kolisi treats Barbarians clash as a full Test match ahead of Gqeberha opener
Siya Kolisi insists the Springboks are treating Saturday's Barbarians clash in Gqeberha as a full Test match, with internal competition, positional battles and the season opener's importance all cited as the camp's driving forces.