Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche/ Picture: Instagram
The current state of rugby is probably at its most exciting with competition tighter than it has been in years. World Rugby has announced their final list of the men’s 15s ‘Player of the Year’ and mzansi couldn’t help but notice one important name missing.
Although the final list of four consists of Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etsebeth and Pieter Steph Du Toit who all form part of the Springboks team, as well as Ireland’s Caelan Doris, South Africans strongly believe that Ox Nche deserved to be on the final list, following his consistent a-class performance throughout this season.
Cool, calm and collected, the perfect combination to describe the Springbok’s loosehead prop Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche who has managed to put on standout performances on more than one occasion for the Springboks. His tenure as the king of scrums was highlighted during the Springbok’s run in the World Cup and has only shown signs of improvement since then.
The announcement of this list has proven to be a bittersweet moment for mzansi as they celebrate three nominations, while also having to stand up and speak up for one of their own whose efforts remain unappreciated by the organisation. It is important to note that a prop player has not won this coveted award since its inception in 2001, and many users are crediting this snub to this fact.
According to these users, Ox outperformed his fellow teammates who are usually in the limelight, while he always takes on the gritty work that no one wants to do, but wins games in the end.
There haven’t been 3 Springboks better than Ox Nche in 2024.
World Rugby just don’t want a prop to ever win World player of the year. There were years when Tadhg Furlong and Frans Malherbe were playing at an elite level and should have been nominated but they also got snubbed🤷🏽♂️.
— Lloyd. (@Lloydbhudda) November 18, 2024
The fact that the fourth nominee could very well have been Ox Nche over Caelan Doris says a lot https://t.co/sDj34iqcgt
— Nathan Russell (@NathP_Russell) November 18, 2024
Many pose the question of what Ox or any other prop is required to do or achieve in order to even be considered for the award. These users noted that if Ox’s extraordinary performance was not enough, then there would not be any prop who would be winning the award any time soon.
What more does @oxnche have to do to be nominated for World Rugby’s Player of the Year?
— Jean Smyth (@JeanSmyth) November 18, 2024
Contrarily, some users, including popular sports broadcaster Motshidisi Mohono argue that World Rugby was pushed into a corner to decide to leave Ox out of the final list, as it would have put their credibility into question to put four nominees from the same nation in one category.
From an international perspective you can’t argue with that really, bit harsh on Ox Nche who’s been crazy consistent
From a Rugby perspective, why club rugby is just ignored absolutely baffles me. Just on his Toulouse performances alone you’d have Dupont in there https://t.co/MwClXTPjAr
— Adam🦈🐰 (@ajsrugby) November 18, 2024
Ho shota Ox Nche fela, but I don’t think WR would’ve gone with four players from the same nation in that category.
— Motshidisi E. Mohono (@MotshidisiM) November 18, 2024
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