Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says there is an expectation of him following his swift rise to the top level, but the Bok playmaker believes game time will showcase his worth.
The 22-year-old wasted little time in announcing himself on the Test scene, coming off the bench to slot a 50-metre penalty kick in a comfortable win for the Springboks against Wales at Twickenham last week.
A former Junior Springbok and DHL Western Province U21 skipper, much fanfare has surrounded the mercurially talented Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was a Vodacom URC title-winner at 19 with the DHL Stormers in 2021-22.
While injuries have limited his involvement this season, the utility back continued to make an impact whenever he played, and speaking in a Bok conference this week, Feinberg-Mngomezulu acknowledged his fast track to Test rugby while sharing his approach to self improvement.
“It’s happened fast; I’ve had a few injuries and lacked some game time which has been frustrating,” he told reporters.
“But on the other hand I’ve got to understand the game on a deeper level, analysing and spending a lot of time on my laptop. It’s certainly helped.
“There is an expectation level that comes into being Sacha, I guess, but there’s a lot of people that make Sacha – my parents, my coaches, my friends.
“The guys back at the union, the Stormers, I give a lot of credit to them because as a youngster coming through the system it’s not easy, especially playing at inside centre where a lot of players are usually experienced.
“I’ve had a fast two years but it’s been well accompanied by some strong people.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who can play flyhalf, centre and fullback, was one of three players who made their Bok debuts against Wales included in the 39-man squad for the incoming series against Ireland and Portugal in July.
Two-time world champions Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux are set to feature prominently in the two Tests against Ireland, kicking off at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, though, is relishing being a part of the Bok environment while continuing to hone his craft.
“Sponge mentality is me at the moment, I fully understand that I’m the new boy in the system at the moment and I’ve got a lot of work to do and to fix,” he said.
ALSO: Kolisi back for Ireland series
“With the people around me, slowly but surely I’m sure I’ll get that right. Watching Willie kick a ball [at training], watching Handre kick a ball, every sort of repetition you pick up something.
“It’s an environment with a lot of learning and invaluable experience, so I’m trying to soak up as much as possible.”
On his preferred position, Feinberg-Mngomezulu added: “I love just playing rugby so 10, 12, 15 wherever it may be I’m happy.
“But a lot of time at high school I spent working on my kicking and personally, I feel it’s come through solidly, so at flyhalf is probably one part I enjoy and trying to dictate the momentum of the game.
“It’s the pressure that you want, where your team looks to you for direction and game management, and that’s something I enjoy.
“But at the same time getting minutes on the park in any position is amazing; like I said I’ve had a few injuries so I’m the last guy to be determined to get to one position. Anytime I can get minutes on the field I’ll take it and do what the boss says.”
Photo: Paul Harding/Gallo Images
The post Sacha on his fast track to success appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says there is an expectation of him following his swift rise to the top level, but the Bok playmaker believes game time will showcase his worth.
The post Sacha on his fast track to success appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
