OX READY FILE. Springbok and Sharks prop Ox Nche said his side will have to be on their toes when they face Antoine Dupont's Toulouse in their Champions Cup clash in Durban on Saturday. Picture: Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Image: Phill Magakoe/AFP
The Sharks will have to deal decisively with the Antoine Dupont threat when they face Toulouse in their Champions Cup clash on Saturday, according to Springbok prop Ox Nche.
The Group A clash will take place at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, with kick-off at 5.15pm.
After two games, the Sharks are in fourth place with a win and a loss to their name.
The 29-year-old Nche said his side will have to be alert to the danger of the explosive scrumhalf.
"He's a special, talented player and he is a big part of how Toulouse play," Nche said.
"We obviously have to deal with it and not get caught with our pants around our knees. I mean any team in the world playing against Antoine Dupont would know exactly that you have to do a player analysis on him.
"We are definitely doing that and a few of the key players obviously.”
The Sharks, though, should be boosted by the return of Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi - which will add some considerable heft to the heavyweight clash.
Etzebeth and Mbonambi were both unavailable for the Durban side’s last two United Rugby Championship (URC) matches, and it will be a welcome return to the Shark tank for the powerful duo.
"I mean we are full of internationals, we've played against a lot of those guys," Nche said.
"It's going to be a good challenge.”
Earlier this week, the Sharks provided an update on the two players.
"We are confident he [Mbonambi] should be okay for the clash with Toulouse. Eben has one more swathe test to do for his concussion symptoms (but) he should be available for Toulouse.”