Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he made the most of his injury lay-off as he prepares to earn his 20th Springbok cap against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
The flyhalf missed the Boks’ July Tests after suffering an ankle injury in the Stormers’ Vodacom URC quarter-final against Cardiff, but quickly shifted his focus to the road ahead.
“Obviously it was disastrous when it happened and it wasn’t enjoyable,” he said of the setback. “Where we got so far in the URC, and just to get taken out of there, not be able to help my team, was frustrating, and then the Springbok equation was even more frustrating.
“But I’m really not one to dwell. I just used the time to look at the game from a more technical aspect and develop areas of my game I probably didn’t have time to do before.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu was equally candid about the last time he faced Argentina, a narrow two-point win – in London last October – he does not remember fondly.
“It wasn’t my greatest game. I’ve got a couple of things to fix from that. They tested us in many areas, they smoked me once or twice, so I’m not coming in with a big head or anything like that. I am very humble and ready to just do my job.”
Much of that humility, he says, comes from playing alongside Cobus Reinach, who starts at scrumhalf this weekend.
“I love Cobus. I’ll never forget the first time we played the All Blacks, I wanted to take a shot at goal from distance, and he was the one who pointed me at the goal. That defines our relationship.
“He really takes me under his wing, but we’re also good buddies. Sharing the field with him takes a lot of pressure off me.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu was just as warm about veteran flyhalf partner, and rival, Handré Pollard.
“I don’t think people understand how much we help each other. We really take care of each other, and there’s massive respect there.
“Even though I’m growing into this, this is going to be my 20th cap, and I still have the utmost respect for what he’s done for this team.
“Not for a second do I see him as competition. He is my mentor, my friend, and a great teammate to learn from.”
With one eye already on the next generation, he added, “I love the flyhalves coming through, guys like Yaqeen [Ahmed] and Luan [Giliomee]. I’m still far from a finished product myself, but where I can help them, I certainly will.”
Photo: Lubabalo Lesolle/Gallo Images
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he made the most of his injury lay-off as he prepares to earn his 20th Springbok cap against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The post Sacha: I’m not coming in with a big head appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
