Springboks prop Ox Nche and an insert of Sharks head coach John Plumtree.
The Sharks have warded off the interest of French Top 14 club to retain the services of Springboks loosehead prop Ox Nche.
A Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa last year, the powerhouse prop’s contract was expiring at the end of the current season and it was reported that the Durban-based franchise were on the fence about whether they should extend his stay or not.
Ox Nche signs long-term deal with the Sharks
This is due to the sheer number of high-profile Boks on their payroll including the likes of Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi and Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi – who returned from Racing 92 this season.
However, the Sharks have not only opted to extend the prop’s stay in Durban but have secured his services until June 2028, at least.
The 29-year-old made the move to the Sharks from the Cheetahs in 2020 has since gone on to rack up over 60 appearances for the Durban-based outfit and has become a Springboks regular after earning his first cap against Wales in 2018.
A powerful scrummager, Nche has been in sensational form in 2024 and was named in World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year. While the prop was not shortlisted for the World Rugby Player of the Year Award, 37% of our Readers voted for him to be crowned the Planet Rugby Readers’ Men’s Player of the Year as he beat the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Caelan Doris.
While reports stated that several Top 14 clubs were keen on signing the 39-Test cap Springbok, he said in September that he hadn’t “heard anything from any club” and was leaving it his agent until there was something on the table.
He added: “There is nothing for me to worry about but I am comfortable with staying in South Africa.”
Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi’s future
The Sharks could still lose a pair of Springboks stars this season with Mapimpi and Am also linked with moves to France.
It was reported in September that Mapimpi “hopes to extend his contract by two more seasons” with the Durbanites but French reports state that La Rochelle are keen on signing the veteran winger.
Am has also been linked with a move to the Top 14 with his current contract expiring at the end of the season, with the Sharks also well stocked in the midfield with youngsters Jurenzo Julius and Ethan Hooker impressing along with the more experienced heads in Esterhuizen and Francois Venter.
Meanwhile, Nche’s re-signing is a major boost for the Sharks, who could lose fellow Springboks loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu to the Stormers. The Stormers are keen on signing Mchunu as a back-up to Steven Kitshoff.
