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Thursday
15:00
Rugby World Cup

Touching ceremony uniquely honours home town hero 'Ox' Nché

Ox Nche receives highest praise from his local community

Widely acknowledged as one of the most vital cogs in the Springbok machine that won the World Cup in France, Retshegofaditswe “Ox” Nché’s efforts have now officially been recognised in his hometown.

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Hailing from the small town of Mokwena in Thaba Nchu, Nché returned to a hero’s welcome and honorary ceremony by the traditional community today.

Part of the famed Springbok “bomb squad”, after a match-changing performance against England in the RWC semi final, Nché is fast becoming a household name and just a few days ago joined hooker Bongi Mbonambi in receiving brand new sponsored Mitsubishis. He was rewarded with a new Triton Xtreme.

Ox Nche
The new car that Ox Nche was presented with

“Mitsubishi Motors South Africa are really excited to have a formidable player like Ox Nché as part of the family and behind the wheel of a vehicle that we believe perfectly dovetails with his personality,” said Mitsubishi Motors South Africa.

Today, about an hour’s drive from Bloemfontein, queen Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka presented him with the inaugural Tlotlo ya Morafe wa Barolong-Boo-Seleka – Honour of the Nation.

It is the nation of Barolong-Boo-Seleka’s highest honour and is “granted to esteemed individuals who stand out for their exceptional achievements in their field and have served the nation and the interests of our country to the best of their abilities.

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“This honour will serve as a beacon of hope to inspire hard work and commitment for all of us to aspire to our highest ideals as the nation of Barolong-Boo-Seleka.”

After already completing a huge Springboks trophy tour with thousands in attendance around the country, there was even a special bus set up, adorned with the image of the now local hero Nché.

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Comments

2 Comments
M
Mzilikazi 418 days ago

Be the first Bok from that region ? Brings back memories of driving up through Louis Trichardt and Messina in 1974 when the Lions were on tour in SA. Did not get as far west as Ox’s home town though. Some amazing baobab trees up there.

J
Jon 418 days ago

I think he needs a bigger truck…

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Comments on RugbyPass

D
DG 42 minutes ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

No, because New Zealand's tall poppy culture won't allow him to play for the All Blacks while he is making bank.

8 Go to comments
J
Jmann 1 hour ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

the 'problem' is that he is a winger.

8 Go to comments
G
GS 1 hour ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

The Lion's results will not matter that much regarding the likes of Topou.


The more significant issue is whether RA can afford to pay competitive salaries for Oz-based players.


RA doesn't even know its income stream after 2025, when I think the current TV rights contract expires. Given that it has lost the Rebels, I think it will struggle to retain its current income.


If RA's income does drop due to reduced income from the rights, I think many players will find that they will be forced overseas as RA can not offer globally competitive salaries.

31 Go to comments
N
NW 1 hour ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

Rieko just needs someone inside him that can put him away. Awesome defender. Problem is bb and jb.

8 Go to comments
G
GP 2 hours ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

No doubt Leicester Fainga'anuku can play centre for the AB's. He got better and better each year for the Crusaders. 2023 winning team he was one of our best. While he played largely on the wing, a lot of his line breaks tries were "straight up the guts " as the saying goes. He is coming back here in 2026 to the Crusaders.

8 Go to comments
G
GP 2 hours ago
Watch: Crusades young halfback speeds to rapid Bronco time

Well done new Crusaders Halfback Kyle Preston, beating his own Bronco record. Coming off a great year with the Wellington Lions. We are blessed in that position , ( halfback), with Kyle, Crusader and Canterbury, ( 100 games for both), Mitchell Drummond and 2024 All Black Noah Hotham to choose from.

1 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

I'm currently reading the book, Carlos. Very interesting insights...but very sad too, esp. for youngsters who were on a pathway in Victoria.

31 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

All well and good to condense down to four, or even three teams. But there is a downside in my view. That means there will be a cadre of good players of potential who are bound to miss out. A few of these will have the potential to become really top players. Some will be spotted by overseas teams and snatched away. Think Hansen, Tuipuluto.


I was talking to a friend in Ireland a couple of years ago, he commented on this problem there. "Good players not in the four provincial teams don't have much open to them. Only the AIL". Only France in world rugby have the answer, with their layers of leagues leading to the top echelons.

31 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

Yes, I would feel Fainga’anuku can become a centre, and challenge for an AB place. Only half way through his 25th year, he certainly has time on his side to develop as a 13. The apprenticeship is well under way, thanks to his time with Toulon. The value of moving offshore for a spell again highlighted. Pity Noah Lolesio did not have longer playing alongside Fainga’anuku.

8 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

Remember he is still only 25, Hht.

8 Go to comments
t
tp 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

I coach a junior rugby team in Sydney and the talent out west is immense and there are really great, well run rugby clubs doing a great job for a heap of young boys and girls involved in and loving Rugby (and as most kids in Sydney anyway, play league as well). A lot of the competition goes quiet as kids hit high school (with the best of the best from out west on RL funded private school tuition through GPS / CAS schools). the challenge / opportunity is how to keep “the rest” of 14-19 year olds playing rugby in strong comps who aren’t affiliated with the existing comps…


Keeping kids in sport at the u14 age group not just a challenge for RA, but also cricket, netball, and the other footy codes so the competition well and truly on to keep the smaller playing base is hot!

31 Go to comments
O
OJohn 4 hours ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

Can NZ turn Ioane in to a centre ? No.

8 Go to comments
t
tp 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

…Rod MacQueen also coached rebels for 1 or 2 years before handing over to the former Sydney uni coach (can’t remember his name).


I think the issue for both rebels and force is fully fit they had “decent” mid table teams but were continually unlucky with injuries most seasons…. Or the other way to look at it is the replacement depth wasn’t anywhere near the standard of the front line and so competitive for 50mins before fading away to a close loss / blow out loss too often.

31 Go to comments
t
tp 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

Principle and practically I agree with your perspective, Nick. Expansion of teams was supposed to bring in extra players from across Vic / WA and provide a home for fringe NSW / QLD players (aka the Brumbies…) , more players, more revenue etc. and while there are exceptions, the numbers didn’t come through as per the respective business plans of the day. Unfortunately meaning ARU / RA could no longer practically afford to the fund their expansion principle. Finger can be pointed everywhere, but we are where we are and so to an eye to the future… really looking forward to Super Rugby this year. Reds have bolstered well off a base of stability, tahs have (by necessity) completely reset the coaches box and have a front row / back row and back 3 that will be fascinating, brumbies trusting their pathways of youngsters coming through and force have recruited well, just wish they had a bit more fire power. With regards to next few years, RA now forced to live within it’s means and no longer handing out monster deals (JAS a legacy of the old regime), unfortunately means likes of Mark Nawa departing, but instead that money now locking a lot more of the u18-u20 talent and giving them a lot more games, of which we won’t see on the international stage until RWC and beyond. Fingers crossed the injury gods are friendly to wallabies for Lions tour (can’t help but think it’s a year too soon), but plenty of talent coming through for RWC, in both tight 5 and inside backs.

31 Go to comments
H
Head high tackle 5 hours ago
Can Leicester Fainga'anuku play centre for the All Blacks?

A couple of points after a quick read. Lolesio is NOT "metamorphosing quickly into the 10" every Aussie wanted. He is a major project and is about 1/4 of the journey thru that projects time. Also Nick LF was always a centre wing in NZ. Was always considered as that by his coaches inc Razor. Sure his rep stuff has been as wing but thats just a selection that filled a need.

Its a bit like asking "Can NZ turn Jordan into a fullback" as he's always been one but was selected by Foster as a winger and did OK at it eh.

8 Go to comments
d
dw 5 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

The nsw and qld teams do look stronger for 2025. Do you think Dan M might take longer to get success as he is new and has a new squad?


Also great mention of the Penrith Emus. The neglect of rugby in Sydney outside the 'traditional' private school areas has had a lasting effect with many sports fans in Sydney. They wouldn't know or care when the wallabies play.

31 Go to comments
C
Carlos 6 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

Define “special relationship”. I will ask my missus if I can have one. If you don’t read me again, that’s her response.

31 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

Yes it's a make or break season at both provincial and national level GS, and the Lions could be a high watermark in players careers. If they go down 3-0 it will be hard to persuade ppl like Tupou to stay.

31 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

Will Aujssie ever have the 'special relationship' with SA it has always enjoyed with NZ Carlos?

31 Go to comments
N
NB 7 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

The evidence is in that all they have done is drag Australia down


Except the evidence only exists in your own mind John.

31 Go to comments
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