South African rugby legend Victor Matfield has identified Stormers rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the next great Springbok flyhalf. The former Junior Springboks captain has already made a significant impact in his young career, despite being just 22 years old.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made his debut for the Stormers in the inaugural United Rugby Championship, coming on as a substitute in a quarter-final against Edinburgh.
He then led the Baby Boks to a successful U20 Summer Series campaign and was subsequently called up to the Springbok squad for their end-of-year tour in 2022.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s Versatility and Kicking Prowess
Although he has primarily been deployed as a first centre for the Stormers, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has played all of his youth career at flyhalf.
When paired with the brilliant Manie Libbok, the youngster has taken on the kicking duties, showcasing his impressive goalkicking abilities.
Matfield, a Springbok centurion, believes that Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s size and attacking prowess make him an ideal candidate for the Springbok flyhalf role. “I’m a big fan of Sacha,” Matfield stated during the United Rugby Championship online round table discussion. “I think he is the next Springbok flyhalf.”
The Need for More Opportunities at Flyhalf
Despite his obvious talent, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been hampered by a series of niggling injuries this season, preventing him from stringing together an extended run of games.
However, he was still included in the Springboks’ first alignment camp, highlighting his potential.
Matfield believes that the Stormers should give Feinberg-Mngomezulu more chances to showcase his skills at flyhalf. “I would like to see the Stormers give him a bit more of a chance at flyhalf, not just at inside centre,” Matfield said. “As a schoolboy, his kicking at the posts was superb. I would like to see the Stormers ask him to take over their goalkicking job.”
Comparisons to Damian Willemse and Concerns About Manie Libbok
Stormers head coach John Dobson has previously described Feinberg-Mngomezulu as a copy of Damian Willemse, highlighting the youngster’s immense potential.
However, Matfield has expressed concerns about Manie Libbok’s ability to step up at the international level, particularly after his goal-kicking struggles during the Rugby World Cup.
“I really like Manie and he has a lot of good qualities, but there is a lot of talk about whether he can take the step up,” Matfield said. “He’s had a few chances. Manie is great. But I would like to see Sacha get more opportunities.”
The Future of South African Rugby
As South African rugby looks to the future, the emergence of talented young players like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is an encouraging sign. With the guidance of experienced players and coaches, these rising stars have the potential to lead the Springboks to even greater heights in the years to come.
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