Rugby prop Retshegofaditswe “Ox” Nché has joined Profmed as a member, linking one of South Africa’s most recognisable rugby players with a community built around professional excellence.
Best known for his role in the Springbok front row, Nché has earned his reputation under pressure, in moments where matches are decided in inches. A Rugby World Cup winner and a central figure in the Springbok pack, he is known for his scrummaging strength, technical precision, and composure in high-stakes moments. His recent World Rugby Player of the Year nomination placed him in rare company as a prop recognised at the highest level of the game.
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But there’s more to his story than rugby. Off the field, his journey reflects the same focus. Nché holds a BSc in Geography and Statistics from the University of the Free State, completed alongside his rise in professional sport, a reflection of the same discipline and consistency that define his performances on the field.
His story begins in Thaba ’Nchu in the Free State. His name, Retshegofaditswe, meaning “we are blessed”, carries a quiet significance, reflecting the grounded sense of identity he’s maintained as his career has taken him onto the global stage.
“Ox represents a standard our members recognise,” says Craig Comrie, Chief Executive of Profmed. “He performs at the highest level, has invested in his education, and he remains connected to where he comes from. That balance resonates with professionals across South Africa.”
For more than 65 years, Profmed has supported professionals building demanding careers, from medicine and engineering to law and business – where long hours, high stakes and sustained performance are part of the job.
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Nché approaches rugby in the same way. His impact in a scrum isn’t about one big moment, but the steady build, repetition, positioning, and pressure that eventually shift the outcome. It’s a role that demands patience and discipline.
That same idea carries through beyond the field. In many professions, performance isn’t defined by one moment, but by the ability to keep showing up, adapt and sustain effort over time.
This thinking sits behind Profmed’s BeRemarkable campaign, which invites professionals to share their full story behind their work, not as highlights, but the effort, setbacks, and progress that shape a career over time.
Nché’s story adds a more personal layer to this. What people see on match day is only a fraction of the work behind it, years of training, recovery, and repetition that don’t always play out in public.
“BeRemarkable gives people a way to share what sits behind their work,” says Comrie. “Ox understands that. His career has been built step by step, and it’s something our members can relate to straight away.”
Beyond the game, he carries that same authenticity. Whether he’s engaging with supporters or sharing moments from his journey, there’s a sense of pride in his teammates, his roots and the country he represents.
As a member, Nché’s connection feels closely aligned with the Profmed community, a group of professionals who share similar pressures, expectations and responsibilities. As a restricted medical aid, Profmed can focus on this specific group and what they need to sustain long, demanding careers.
Today, the community includes more than 35,000 main members and over 70,000 lives covered, spanning professionals at every stage of their journey, from early career to established practice.
As the rugby season unfolds, the campaign will continue to follow Nché’s journey, linking his experiences with those of professionals across the country. Through it all, Profmed’s role remains straightforward: providing healthcare that supports people as they build, adapt, and move forward in their careers.
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