With the retirement of Beast Mtawarira following the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Japan, Nche, is set to get an extended spell in the Green & Gold.

Davids told OFM Sport that the former Cheetahs front-rower that Nche has proven that he belongs in the set up.

“We know that Ox is a quality player and Beast was a special player in terms of what he brought to the team. His experience was valuable for the guys in the World Cup.

“It's is not easy to replace that kind of experience, but over the years Ox has been consistent in what he has been doing.

“I think that now is a good time for him to come in now and show that he can make that step up going forward.”

Steven Kitshoff it the most likely player to step into the starting role on the loosehead, while Nche is expected to feature off the bench.

The 25-year-old Nche earned his only Springbok cap in 2018 when they faced Wales in Washington DC.

Meanwhile, most of the locally based Springboks reported in Bloemfontein on Monday morning following the Rainbow Cup SA commitments.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport