‘No one is equal to Ox Nche’ – Nick Mallett’s verdict on Rassie Erasmus’ selections and Springboks depth
Springboks front rowers Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche.
Nick Mallett says that while the Springboks’ depth is impressive, there are players who are irreplaceable in the team.
This comes after Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes from the starting XV that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore for the clash against Australia in Perth.
Springboks’ depth
The Springboks were ultimately beaten 32-28 by the Wallabies, and Mallett believes that it proved that South Africa’s depth has its limitations.
“Rassie selected a team that he usually picks against Scotland at home or Wales and Italy away or at home,” the former Springboks head coach said on the Talking Boks podcast after the match.
“This wasn’t an A team. No one could argue that this was the Boks Test team. I know we were saying that we’ve got three guys equal, but no one is equal to Ox Nche as a loosehead prop, no one is equal in scrummaging to Wilco Louw, and no hooker in the world is equal to Malcolm Marx. Eben Etzebeth is still the best lock standing.
“There are players that are better than others. We have got very good replacements, but to make 13 changes was a risk, and it was a risk playing against Australia, who had come off four Test matches, I think, and one draw, and a new coach that’s always a bounce for a team.”
Wallabies’ ill-discipline
Mallett also spoke glowingly about the Wallabies’ performance, stating that Australia bettered the Boks in two facets of the game in particular. However, he added that their indiscipline could have cost them against the Springboks and would be damaging in a World Cup match.
“They are talking about the connection in the team and how they played for each other and all that, but to be honest, they were all over the place in those last 20 minutes,” he said.
“They were just giving penalty after penalty away. They were trying hard not to concede tries, but they were doing so in a way that would be so damaging in a World Cup game.
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“You can’t go in with shoulder charges to the head or high tackles to the head anytime during the game. And it’s one thing we’ve got better at. Our discipline has been very, very good.
“We’ve got a good squad of 35 players, and whoever we take to the World Cup, we’re going to be fine.”
