Springboks: Ox Nche addresses reports over mega-money French move
Ox Nche's contract with the Sharks is reportedly due to expire at the end of the current season.
Springboks loosehead prop Ox Nche has addressed reports that he could leave the Sharks for a mega-money move to France.
Nche is reportedly one of many Sharks players who are off-contract at the end of the season and has attracted interest from abroad.
The powerhouse Springboks front-rower is one of the best props in world rugby at the moment and his potential availability has caught the attention of wealthy French clubs.
Ox Nche on the move?
According to a report by Rugby Pass earlier this month, several Top 14 teams have expressed their interest in the loosehead’s services as the Sharks are on the fence about whether to extend his contract or not.
The Durbanites have several high-profile Springboks on their books including the likes of Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi and Eben Etzebeth. They also recently added Bok skipper Siya Kolisi who makes his return to Durban after just one season at Racing 92.
Mapimpi and Am are reportedly garnering interest in France as well but Nche has revealed that he has yet to see an official offer from a Top 14 club.
“I haven’t heard anything from any club yet,” the World Cup-winning number one told Rapport.
“I asked my agent about it and he said that I should just leave it to him.
“Until there is something on paper, there is nothing for me to worry about but I am comfortable with staying in South Africa.”
Nche made his Test debut for South Africa against Wales back in 2018 but had to wait until 2021 to add to his cap tally. However, since then he has become a regular member of the squad, helping the team win the British and Irish Lions series and starred in their Rugby World Cup success in 2023.
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Mapimpi keen to stay on
He has been in fantastic form this year particularly considering the injury to Steven Kitshoff, producing standout performances against Ireland and in the Rugby Championship.
Meanwhile, Nche’s Bok and Sharks teammate Mapimpi is reportedly eager to remain in South Africa despite interest from Top 14 giants La Rochelle.
An insider told Rapport that the veteran winger “hopes to extend his contract by two more seasons” with the Sharks as he enters the twilight of his career.
Both Nche and Mapimpi joined the Sharks from the Cheetahs with the former doing so in 2020 and the latter in 2018. Since then, they have become regulars for the Durban-based outfit as well as the Springboks.
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