It’s Boks v France as Sharks brace for Toulouse

It will be France DNA against Springbok DNA on Saturday in Durban when the Sharks host Toulouse in a mouth-watering Champions Cup fixture.

That is the opinion of Ox Nche, the loosehead prop who has had intimate experience of the France (and Toulouse) front row after showdowns in the World Cup quarter-final last year and in Marseille in 2022.

In those games, Nche scrummed against Toulouse tighthead Cyril Baille (who scored two tries in France’s quarter-final loss) and Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka (also a try-scorer in that one-point loss).

“This is probably going to be the most exciting game we will play this year,” said Nche. “We must bring some of our expertise from when we (the Boks) played against France. We have quite a few guys who have played France and they have many players who have played the Springboks.

“It is about ensuring all of our guys know what to expect. It will be a lot of French DNA versus a lot of Springbok DNA and it is going to be a great contest.”

Nche said that what makes Toulouse arguably the best club/provincial team in the world is that they are the opposite of a one-trick pony.

“They play this free-flowing game but they can also tighten up and dominate teams physically. They can play in a number of ways and change things up. Few teams in the world can play like Toulouse and the way they suddenly do something unexpected catches defences out.”

Of course, the chief orchestrator of doing the unexpected is Antoine Dupont. The 28-year-old is the most talked about rugby player on the planet and his astonishing skill set is summed up by his winning the World Rugby Player of the Year Award for XVs in 2021 and last year winning the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award.

Nche said the Sharks have discussed his threat and have a strategy to contain the little general.

“Dupont is a special player and is a big part of how Toulouse play. We have to make sure he doesn’t catch us out. We have done our analysis and seen how he catches defences flat-footed with the unexpected. We have to anticipate what he is going to do. Any team in the world would have plans to contain him.”

The new law change that provides extra protection for the scrumhalf at rucks is tailor-made for Dupont because he has extra time to read the play.

“We have spoken about how he will have more safety and we have made plans around it,” Nche said. “It means they will have more freedom to attack. We have to stick to our systems and keep our eyes open so that we don’t get caught with our pants down.”

But Nche said that ultimately Toulouse are so good because they have a huge focus on the set piece so that Dupont gets quality ball.

“In the Top 14 it is all about the set scrum and Toulouse have the best pack in France. From playing against France (and most of the Toulouse) front row, I remember how adaptable they are. They are not shy to try new tricks.

“They work together,” Nche said. “You might think you have them in one scrum and then they come back with something different.”

Nche said the Sharks players are eager to tackle the defending champions.

“There is growing excitement,” he said. “They are on form, they have won two out of two Cup games, home and away, and have brought a full-strength team to Durban.

“They are a lovely team to watch. They gel together so nicely as a team. I am willing to test myself against the best. I can’t wait for this game.”