The former Cheetahs prop, Ox Nche, has hailed the culture in the Springbok team following their record-breaking fourth Rugby World Cup title win on the weekend.

The Springboks became the most successful team in history on Saturday after holding on to beat the All Blacks 12-11 in a tense and thrilling final in Paris.

Nche, who missed out on playing in the World Cup in Japan in 2019, became and international sensation in France.

The ever-humble Nche said the culture in the team led to the Springboks title defence.

“It shows our resilience - in South Africa that is what we are made of,” said Nche.

“When you think we are down that’s when we come out and shock you and show you that we can achieve anything.

“It means a lot. I don’t know how to describe it. It is a feeling that is out of this world.

“I made my debut in 2018, watched the 2019 World Cup at home from the couch and I told my friends in four years’ time that is where I wanted to be. And I am here, thank God.

“To have a special group of guys like this. Deon Fourie, he is 37 years old - in the first few minutes in a World Cup final our starting hooker goes down and we lost Malcolm Marx earlier.

“If we stay united, we can achieve anything. That’s what it means to me.”

 The World Cup-winning Springboks will be arriving back in South Africa on Tuesday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport