Lenihan: 'Loosehead destroyer' Nche key to South Africa's scrum superiority

South African prop Ox Nche has been a key figure in South Africa's march to a Rugby World Cup final, according to former Ireland international Donal Lenihan.

The Springboks have edged out both hosts France and a resurgent England by the bare minimum in the knockout stages, with old foes New Zealand standing in their way of back-to-back World Cup glory and a fourth outright victory overall.

Key to their narrow victories has been the collective performance of the forwards, and in particular their scrum, with their bench often reinforcing their traditional strength at set-piece.

Replacement props Vincent Koch and Nche appeared seven minutes apart early in the second half against England and had a significant impact in the outcome of the game.

England lost two scrums on their own ball – the first since their opening game – including on the hour mark when they were leading 15-6 and deep in opposition territory.

In the closing minutes and with the Springboks trailing by two, English replacement prop Ellis Genge was penalised for dropping to his knees on a Springboks put-in, allowing Handre Pollard to kick the match-winning score.

Speaking on Against the Head, Lenihan said the South African strength has come at a tournament where so much focus has been on the scrum.

"It’s amazing how central the scrum has become in this World Cup. Certainly, it has played a huge role in South Africa getting there (to the final)," he said.

"My good friend Des Fitzgerald, former Ireland prop, he always said, 'the scrum is only important when you don’t have one’.

"They (South Africa) have found a way and a means to punish teams if they have any weaknesses whatsoever."

While Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe have been the starting props in the knockout