If there was any justice in this world, then Ox Nche would be named the World Rugby Player of the year.
It’s that simple. No other player has been so consistent, so devastating in his position and has so much influence on the modern game as the cake-loving loosehead over the past few years.
And to be honest, no player deserves it more.
The fact that World Rugby tends to favour the glory boys - the flankers, wingers and the pivots, makes it even more important that Nche is seen, and celebrated.
Because to be honest, he should probably have won it last year as well.
That’s no slight on the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, who produces monumental performances week after week, not on Malcolm Marx, who has become a colossus in the Springbok pack, nor on the excitement of the player of the Six Nations - Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
The other three have certainly made people sit up and take notice. They have put in impressive performances, but in the dark arts of the scrum, Nche is unmatched.
He is a player that is both feared and loved, a player that never goes backward and a player who has been consistent in every single game that he has played.
Think about it for a moment - when last did Ox play a mediocre game? When last was he challenged in the scrum?
Rugby has a penchant to reward the try-scorers, the creators and the glory boys, but for once they need to look at those who set the platform.
The scrum is a massive part of the Springboks’ success this year. It is the place the Boks set the tone for the rest of the game, and the place they win penalties almost on cue.
And Nche hasn’t always been in a front row that has played together - he has been partnered more than once with different tightheads, and still kept up the same incredible consistency.
Salads may not win scrums, but the focus of a star like Nche means the Boks never move backwards, and often it is the difference when a swing in momentum is needed.
Ask any rugby fan and they will tell you how they relish seeing the Bok pack head into the setpiece, and how Nche is front and centre of every single success in this realm.
Bielle-Biarrey is a superb talent and scores amazing tries, and should be celebrated. Du Toit and Marx are terrors in the loose and are tops in their own fields as well.
But Nche has no equal at loosehead in world rugby, and the ability of a panel to pay respect to the hard men up front means that for once, a prop needs to take the award.
No position plays harder, gives more and is more unseen than the front row when it comes to awards, and it isn’t a surprise that no prop has ever won World Rugby’s ultimate gong.
This needs to change.
The awards panel.comprised of former legends of the game, Jacques Burger, Fiona Coghlan, Victor Matfield, Drew Mitchell, Ugo Monye, Sergio Parisse, Kieran Read and Blaine Scully have nominated him again this year as part of rugby’s top four.
But on 22 November Ox needs to be No 1.
As he is every Saturday for the World Champion Springboks.
The other awards and their nominees are as follows:
International Rugby Players Association Men's 15s Try of the Year
Fans around the world will once again play a decisive role in celebrating the most spectacular score of the season. The winner will be the most popular try as voted by fans on World Rugby and RugbyPass Instagram channels (voting closes on 20 November).
Santiago Cordero (Argentina, v British and Irish Lions – June)
Santiago Pedrero (Chile, v Samoa, South America/Pacific Play-off, RWC 2027 qualifier – October)
Lekima Tagitagivalu (Fiji, v Australia, men's international – July)
Tupou Vaa'i (New Zealand, v France, men's international – July)
World Rugby Men's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year
Recognising emerging talents who have made a significant impact on the international stage in 2025.
Fabian Holland (New Zealand)
Ethan Hooker (South Africa)
Henry Pollock (England)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia)
World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year
Celebrating the individual who has consistently delivered world class performances and inspired fans across the globe.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
Ox Nche (South Africa)
