‘We need to score points when we get into opposition 22,’ says Boks’ Nche

The Springboks will spend most of this week working on their finishing and execution ahead of their final pool game of the 2023 World Cup against Tonga on Sunday.

This after managing to score just the one try and one penalty in their otherwise strong showing against Ireland in Paris on Sunday when they lost 13-8.

Prop Ox Nche made it clear after the match the Boks needed to work on their execution and creating scoreboard pressure.

The world champions failed to capitalise against Ireland when they got close to the try line and could not build up scoreboard pressure, though they had Ireland’s number in the scrums and lineouts.

Their lack of cutting edge when they ventured into the Irish 22m area ultimately cost them and they suffered their first loss of the tournament.

‘Keep ball and build phases’

“We focused a lot on our setpiece and dominating there … we did our job in the second half, but we just didn’t execute as well as we wanted to,” Nche said after the match at Stade de France stadium.

“The plan was there. We got into their 22. We just had to keep the ball a bit longer and build phases.

“It’s a World Cup and playing the number one country in the world, so the intensity was as expected, and I think we were up for it. We just didn’t execute on the chances that we had,” he said.

An area of improvement that Nche wants to see the Boks work on is getting points when in the opposition 22m.

“I reckon we need to work harder on executing and getting points when we get into the 22,” said Nche.

The Springboks will play their final pool game against Tonga in Marseille.