Springboks prop Ox Nche has acknowledged the huge battle that awaits the Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup as they host Toulouse in Durban on Saturday.

Toulouse fielded a largely changed team in their most recent Top 14 clash where they were edged by fellow French giants La Rochelle, which means they arrive in South Africa with a full-strength and rested squad ready to tackle the Sharks.

The likes of Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Francois Cros all missed the defeat to La Rochelle in preparation for the trip to Durban and Nche is well aware of the challenge the hosts now face.

With both teams littered with internationals throughout the squad, Saturday’s clash has been likened to a Test match between the Springboks and France, who last faced off in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

SA and French DNA

The two outfits have also tailored their approach to the game with the traditional strengths of their nation with both South Africa and France placing a particular focus on the set-piece and Nche is expecting a mighty battle in the scrums.

“French rugby is very much about the scrum set-piece, and Toulouse are probably the best team currently on their form,” he told the Sharks‘ official website.

“They are very adaptable, they are happy to try new tricks although but they have a system that works for them and won’t stray too much from what they do.

“They’re really strong and when you think you’ve beaten them in one scrum, they come back at the next one, so it’s going to be a really good scrumming challenge, one I’m looking forward to.”

The similarities between the two nations extends to open play with a focus on dominating the gain line through their physicality which is imprinted in their DNAs according to the Bok prop.

“They have a lot of internationals and so do we, they play with French flair, they have a good set-piece and they want to dominate their opponents physically,” he added.

“We will have to bring some of our expertise on what to expect and how we played against France. We’ve played against a lot of those guys, so there’s a lot of French rugby DNA and South African Rugby DNA.

“It’s going to be a big and very exciting challenge.”

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Zoning in on the set-piece once again, the cake and scrum loving prop reflected on the Sharks’ recent struggles. The Durbanites have a plethora of Test front-rowers in the form of Nche and his Bok teammates Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Trevor Nyakane.

However, they have struggled in the set-piece of late doing so against the Stormers and Leicester Tigers. Nche puts the struggles down to the number of injuries the team have suffered of late with the up-and-comers unable to match their usual dominance.

“We’ve struggled with our scrum for a few matches with a lot of youngsters coming in and out because of all the injuries we’ve suffered,” he explained.

“But we have grown quite a bit since then, we know we have to man-up and we’re ready for the challenge.”

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One of the most exciting games

Defending champions Toulouse have won the Champions Cup on six occasions and look favourites to retain their title after a rapid start to the new season. They are also well-placed in the Top 14 with their most recent defeat seeing them drop from top of the table into second place.

While the challenge that Toulouse pose is daunting, World Cup winner Nche is excited by the opportunity to tackle the French giants as it provides another chance for him to test himself.

“They’re the current champions and they are on form, having won two out of two in the competition, winning home and away, so they’ve shown their quality. They’re bringing a full-strength side to South Africa, I think it’s going to be exciting,” he said.

“I enjoy testing myself against the best in the world, and for me, that’s the assumption this week.

“There aren’t a lot of teams who come close to how Toulouse play, their free-flowing game, dominant set-piece and the way they gel together.

“I think this is going to be one of the most exciting games we’re going to be playing this season.”

READ MORE: Antoine Dupont set for first southern hemisphere appearance in almost eight years

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ox-nche-hails-best-in-the-world-toulouse-as-french-and-springboks-dna-collide