Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: “Whatever the Springboks jersey number, I’m ready”

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu wants to nail down his role on Saturday and help put the Springboks in the right areas of the field as they look to overcome Australia in the second Rugby Championship Test.

The versatile youngster is part of a six-two Bomb Squad replacement bench for the clash at DHL Stadium (5.10 pm kick-off) and is aiming to replicate his performances from last year’s tournament. He knows the team is on the back foot, however, and that it will take a collective effort to turn their fortunes around.

With potential playing spots up for grabs when the Boks head to New Zealand next month for back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks, Feinberg-Mngomezulu emphasised the importance of staying focused on the present and delivering a strong performance against Australia. What happens afterward, he said, is out of his control.

“I just want to put in a solid performance, put the team in the right areas of the field, and do my job properly. Whatever comes from that, hopefully, it is good stuff,” he said on Wednesday.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to play in that game (at Eden Park in Auckland). Ruan (Nortjé) would want to play in it, and a lot of Springbok supporters would want to see us there too. That’s up there with one of the coolest things I can imagine. “However, this week comes first. After last weekend, we’re super zoned in and focused on getting a good result for South Africa.”

After the 38–22 drubbing at Ellis Park, the Boks have their backs against the wall. But they’re known for delivering under pressure, and they won’t want to deviate from that identity.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu added that it’s always special to earn a Springbok cap, and wherever he is used, his focus is simply on contributing to the team. Handré Pollard will start at flyhalf, but the youngster provides cover at flyhalf, centre, and fullback if called upon.

“Having the big dogs like Handré here means there’s a ladder to climb, and learning from him while juggling the roles of 12 and 15 really helps grow my game. “Putting on the jersey is special every time — whether it’s No. 23, 22, 12, 15, 10, or even No 6 — whatever helps the team and gets me a Springbok cap.”

“It’s going to take a bit of time to play with that freedom. We saw last weekend what happens when you drift away from our system and structure — that’s when we stop being the team we want to be. That’s something I’m really trying to hone in on. It’s been a focus point for the past week or two.

“When you enforce the Bok fundamentals, that’s when the team thrives. That’s when you put yourselves in positions you want to be in and the opposition in positions they don’t want to be in.”