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.
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“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
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
