Inspired by the success of Steven Kitshoff, loosehead prop Ox Nche aspires to help the Springboks become back-to-back world champions.
A 2019 World Cup winner and one of the original Bomb Squad members, the 71-Test Kitshoff almost led the DHL Stormers to back-to-back Vodacom United Rugby Championship titles this season.
Nche, who has started 14 of his 19 appearances in the green and gold, said having a player of Kitshoff’s calibre in the Bok squad has brought the best out of him.
“I don’t see Steven as competition, we merely try to help one another,” Nche told reporters in Pretoria on Wednesday. “Watching Steven play for the Stormers makes me want to be a better player. I enjoy that.
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“He’s a quality player and has already won a World Cup, and that’s something that I aspire to achieve as well.
“I see what he does and try to do that, or better. I’m growing as a player.”
The 27-year-old echoed coach Jacques Nienaber’s sentiments that focusing on the Rugby Championship, rather than the Rugby World Cup was vital for the Boks.
“You have to climb a mountain step by step, and we first have to get through the Rugby Championship and play well in that tournament to build momentum for the World Cup,” Nche said.
“As much as it is in the back of our minds we know we have a task ahead; we have to play well now and show that you’re good enough to make the squad in the end.
“So that’s our focus – taking these matches [in the Rugby Championship] step by step, week by week and when we get to the World Cup we’ll be ready to face the challenge.”
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