Sharks

Harlequins have a pair of dangerous Springboks on their books. Photos: AFP

Sharks wary of Harlequins Springbok threat

Sharks prop Ox Nche has acknowledged the Springbok threat lurking in the Harlequins squad ahead of the clash at Kings Park.

Sharks

Harlequins have a pair of dangerous Springboks on their books. Photos: AFP

Sharks prop Ox Nche has acknowledged the Springbok threat lurking in the Harlequins squad.

Harlequins Springboks pose a threat to Sharks

Nche insists that the best way to counter the ball-carrying of former Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen is to disrupt the Premiership side’s setpiece.

Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen. Photo: AFP Sharks
Bok centre Andre Esterhuizen. Photo: AFP

“They [Harlequins] score most of their tries off the first three phases and they have a successful strike rate from set-pieces,” said the Sharks prop according to Rugby365.

“We have to put their set-piece under pressure.

“We know Andre is a big ball carrier for them. He gets them over the gain line, so we just need to neutralise that.

“We know the challenge that is coming and I think we have to front up to that and just disrupt that to favour us.” 

Scrum battle

Nche will have a big job on his hands and he prepares to scrum against fellow Springbok Wilco Louw.

“I scrummed against him at the Boks, at junior levels and I also scrummed against him when he was still at the Stormers, so I kind of have an idea,” said Nche.

“I know he is a pretty big boy and he is heavy and I have seen his growth [in England].

“He scrums pretty well, so I think it is going to be a good challenge for me but I am looking forward to it.”

Harlequins are in Durban to face the Sharks in their opening match of the 2022/23 edition of the European Championship Cup.

By virtue of reaching the knockout stages of the United Rugby Championship, the Sharks qualified for the European competition for the first time.

The Bulls and Stormers also join the Sharks in the European Championship Cup while the Lions will compete in the Challenge Cup.

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