Nché has made history as the first prop ever to be shortlisted for this prestigious accolade. Joining him on the list are fellow Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit - the current World Player of the Year - and Malcolm Marx, alongside France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

If Pieter-Steph du Toit were to win again, he would become just the third player in history to claim a hat-trick of World Player of the Year titles - and the first South African to do so. The only other players to achieve the feat are All Blacks legends Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

Ox Nché - Morgan Piek

Currently sidelined by injury, Nché returned home from the End-of-Year tour in Europe. While he now plies his trade with the Sharks, his rugby journey began in the City of Roses. A product of HTS Louis Botha in Willows, Nché joins an elite list of Springboks produced by the school, including Daan Human, AJ Venter, Oupa Mohoje, and Raymond Rhule.

The 30-year-old worked his way up through Bloemfontein’s ranks, representing the University of the Free State Shimlas, before moving on to the Cheetahs, where he lifted the Currie Cup in 2016, and later joining the Sharks. In 2015 Nché was a part of the Shimlas team that won the Varsity Cup for the first time. Both that Shimlas team and the Cheetahs team that won the Currie Cup a year later were coached by Franco Smith.

Du Toit says that if it were up to him, Nché would walk away with the award.

“Ox is a special person and an incredible rugby player. I’m grateful that he’s getting some recognition,” Du Toit said.

“Everyone understands the type of player he is and how well he plays the game. But to get this type of recognition is really special. I’m very glad for him, and if I could have it my way, he would win it.”

The World Rugby Player of the Year will be announced on Saturday night.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport