Patience the perfect gift for Sacha
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is gold. He has the Midas Touch, and he will be a strong presence in South African rugby for the next decade. Feinberg-Mngomezulu is 22 years old. He has the next 10 years to dominate the game at every level. Patience will be the greatest gift any coach can give to him. Patience is also what the rugby media and supporters must give this gem from the Western Cape.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, sensational as a schoolboy flyhalf for Bishops and Western Province, inspired the WP under-21s to glory last season, and before his 21st birthday, had already played for the Stormers in the
United Rugby Championship. He has also thrived for the national junior teams at every age group level.
I was privileged to report on the school sporting career of Herschelle Gibbs, who remains the most naturally talented schools player in cricket and rugby I have written about in the last 35 years.
And there have been some super talents in both codes.
As a schoolboy flyhalf, FeinbergMngomezulu is the closest I have seen to Gibbs in terms of natural feel for the game and an expression that comes from within and not a coaching manual. Mngomezulu, like Gibbs, can also kick huge touch finders and with accuracy at posts.
Gibbs was a specialist No 10, whereas Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also a 10 but one who looks equally at ease in the No 12, 13 or 15 jerseys. He is also quick enough and has such awareness within the four lines that he would never look lost as a winger.
No 10 is his best position and that is where he ultimately will find a home with the Springboks. He may not be the first choice at the 2027 World Cup in Australia, but this is a player who will be at the peak of his playing powers post the 2027 World Cup.
He most definitely will be in the mix for the national squad this season and be a part of the journey to Australia in 2027. But with
He may not be the first choice at the 2027 World Cup in Australia, but this is a player who will be at the peak of his playing powers after the tournament
Handre Pollard potentially still invested in one last World Cup, with Manie Libbok still just 25 years old and with the Sharks’ Siya Masuku running hot now, it may be Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s versatility that finds the most favour with Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as a schoolboy rugby talent, owned teams like Damian Willemse when he was playing for Paul Roos. Willemse is the barometer of the reward that comes from a professional coach who appreciates talent, understands the rawness of it and accepts that wisdom and maturity only comes through age and through playing opportunities.
Willemse is now considered one of the best in the global game. He is just 25 years old. Stormers coach John Dobson has been the most significant influence on Willemse because he has unreservedly backed the quality of the player and the potential of the player.
Erasmus, nationally, was the driving force behind Willemse’s evolution from Bok squad player to starting XV at the World
Cup, in that he always backed him.
Once there, Felix Jones and Mzwandile Stick added to the finishing touches, while at the Stormers backs specialist Dawie Snyman and defensive specialist Norman Laker have been a permanent presence for Willemse.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the same treatment Willemse did from Dobson, Snyman and Laker. He will also get the same patience from these coaches. It will translate to Erasmus and his coaching staff, which now also includes former All Blacks flyhalf and Highlanders coach Tony Brown.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s game time this season, because of injury, has been restricted to six starts in eight matches for the Stormers but each time he has played, he has prospered.
In Newport, Wales, on Friday night he scored two tries from three touches, and immediately made his presence felt.
Get used to this presence. It shines bright.