Ox Nche is bracing for a serious set-piece contest at Ellis Park on Saturday, having done his homework on an England scrum that finished the Six Nations with the best success rate in the tournament and a healthy penalty differential. The edge is sharpened by Ellis Genge's admission that the scrum penalty that handed Handré Pollard the winning kick in the 2023 World Cup semi-final remains an 'open wound' — motivation that Nche fully expects to manifest up front. Beyond the scrum, Nche flags a broader England threat, noting that Borthwick's side has evolved into a more unpredictable, high-energy outfit than the England teams of recent years, with dangerous backs and the willingness to take opportunities when they arise. Rassie Erasmus, meanwhile, adds an interesting subplot on the scrum-feed law debate, expressing cautious faith that England will feed fairly — while stopping well short of accusing them of being offenders.
Nche eyes scrum battle as Genge's World Cup wounds reopen
Nche anticipates a heavyweight scrum battle fuelled by Genge's lingering pain from the 2023 semi-final penalty, while also flagging a more dynamic England backline as a genuine threat at Ellis Park.
- England
- Handré Pollard
- Six Nations Championship
- Rassie Erasmus
- Springboks
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
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.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.
Willemse credits Jantjies, Bok mentors after reaching 50-Test milestone at Ellis Park
Damian Willemse marked his 50th Test cap with one of his finest Springbok performances as South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, crediting mentors including Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard and several Bok greats for shaping his game across multiple positions.
Halftime flashbacks and World Cup depth: Rassie's takeaways from the England win
Erasmus drew a direct line between last year's Australia collapse and his halftime intervention against England, while framing the 45-21 win — achieved with an underdone, reshaped side — as evidence his depth-building plan is on track for 2027.