Springboks prop Ox Nche considers French move, Stormers swoop for Lions star – Rugby Transfers
The Sharks could lose two of the top Springboks ahead of next season while the Stormers swoop for a Lion.
Springboks prop Ox Nche is reportedly considering a move to France while the Stormers are lining up a move for Lions star Sanele Nohamba.
World Cup-winning prop Nche’s contract is said to be expiring at the end of the current season and the Bok powerhouse is considering his options.
Nche joined the Sharks in 2020 from the Cheetahs and has quickly become a pivotal cog in the scrum for both club and country.
Ox Nche on the move?
According to a report by RugbyPass, the Sharks are on the fence about whether or not they can keep him beyond the end of the current season and French clubs are already expressing their interest in the world-class loosehead prop.
Nche is the second current Springbok to be linked with a move away from the Sharks with a report from the same publication stating that Lukhanyo Am could also depart at the end of the season.
The Sharks’ midfield depth has been boosted by the return of Andre Esterhuizen from Harlequins this season while youngsters Jurenzo Julius and Litelihle Bester have impressed during the Currie Cup. This while the Durbanites also have ex-Springboks centre Francois Venter on their books, as well as rising star Ethan Hooker, who was involved in Rassie Erasmus’ training camps.
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Nche is currently the Sharks’ and Boks’ go-to choice in the starting number one jersey, but the side signed the versatile Trevor Nyakane this season with fellow Bok Ntuthuko Mchunu continuing to impress.
The four South African URC teams are set to get a boost in funding next season which could assist the Sharks in retaining the services of Nche.
According to Rapport, the unions will vote on the split of the income from broadcasting rights and sponsorships tallying up to about R400 million.
The report suggests the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are set to get around R50 million each as SA Rugby gives the franchises a bigger slice of cake than in previous years.
Stormers go shopping in Johannesburg
Paul de Wet’s long-rumoured move to the Bulls is on the verge of completion according to Rapport and Stormers boss John Dobson is already scouring the market for his replacement.
De Wet’s future has been hotly debated in recent months with the scrum-half linked with a move to the Bulls and attracting interest from French clubs. However, he looks set to remain in South Africa and join Jake White’s charges ahead of the 2025/26 season.
According to the report, Dobson is a fan of Nohamba – who was crowned the URC Player of the Season last season – and is looking to lure the playmaker to Cape Town as De Wet’s replacement.
Nohamba is primarily a scrum-half but featured heavily at number 10 for the Lions during the 2023/24 season with his form leading many to call for him to get recalled to the Springboks squad.
Meanwhile, the report adds that former Sharks prop Carlu Sadie is being targeted by the Bulls. The tighthead joined Bordeaux at the start of last season but could return to South Africa joining White’s side on July 1.
However, the prop’s agent denied claims of the move when contacted by the publication.
