Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he can’t avoid online abuse.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson last week came out strongly in defence of his players, warning about the damaging effects of online criticism and singling out his young playmaker.
“We have a duty of care towards Sacha,” Dobson said. “I wouldn’t like to be Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu now … but he’s going to be a generationally great Springbok for South Africa. We are going to look back and think what a player, how privileged we were to have our own Dan Carter.”
Dobson also slammed the personal nature of the abuse directed at players.
“To say this guy is shit and shouldn’t be part of the Stormers … people who know nothing about our process feel free to assassinate someone’s character.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is set to earn his 50th Stormers cap against the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town on Saturday, admits the scrutiny is unavoidable in the modern game.
“I see it all [the comments] because I’m on social media, whether I like it or not, it’s in my face,” he said earlier this week. “But I don’t think it’s something I should feel sorry for myself about.”
The 24-year-old has kept things in perspective, pointing to the scale of abuse in other sports.
“I watch a lot of football, and I can’t imagine what the Real Madrid and Barcelona players get every weekend.
“It’s just important to understand that it’s at a very small level, and as long as my coaches and teammates are happy with my efforts, then I’ll just let the rest take care of itself.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu stressed that his focus remains undeterred.
“I put a lot of hours into my game, whether I’m here at the High Performance Centre or not. Little comments are never going to deter me from where I believe I’m going.
“And just understanding how people get it [online abuse] in other sports is also important; we get it on a small scale compared to the footballers.
“I mustn’t put my tail between my legs and cry about it; it’s just part of the job.”
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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Sacha: It’s in my face appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he can’t avoid online abuse.
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