By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Springboks prop Ox Nche is set to be ruled out of the remainder of the November Tests after he picked up a freak injury against Japan in the opening game of the tour.
Nche left the field in the first half of Saturday’s 61-7 win against Japan at Wembley after twisting his ankle and knee at a ruck. He was seen on crutches after the match.
“It’s pretty serious,” said Boks coach Rassie Erasmus. “I don’t think he’ll play the rest of this tour. It happened in a tackle situation – his ankle and knee – so unfortunately he’s out.”
The Bok coach added that they are likely to call up a replacement.
“We’ve got Gerhard Steenekamp, who played well tonight, and Thomas du Toit back next week. But if another loosehead goes down, we’ll be in trouble, so we’ll probably bring in Asenathi Ntlabakanye. Thomas can swing between tighthead and loosehead for us if needed.”
Ntlabakanye played for the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV in Brentford on Saturday.
Nché’s injury comes after Jan-Hendrik Wessels was ruled out last week with an eight-week suspension, leaving the world champions thin in the front row as they prepare to face France in Paris on Saturday.
Erasmus warned that the next Test would be a “massive step up”.
“We know what it’s like playing France away – it’s a real pressure cooker,” he said. “Most of the guys have experienced that atmosphere before. We’ll need to be really intelligent and physical this week to be ready.”