Ex-Springbok likens Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to Marcus Smith which is ‘big concern’
Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and inset of playmaker Marcus Smith.
Robbie Fleck believes that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is in a similar mould to England and Lions playmaker Marcus Smith, which is a concern for the Springboks.
The former midfielder and Stormers coach has questioned Rassie Erasmus’ backline changes for the second Test against the All Blacks, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu getting the nod at fly-half.
Fleck says that there is no denying the 23-year-old’s potential, but feels that right now, he lacks the game management and control, which was the main reason that Handre Pollard was ushered back into the starting line-up.
Pollard replaced Manie Libbok at number 10 after the latter started the Rugby Championship opener against Australia, where the Boks raced into a 22-point lead before they imploded and fell to a historic defeat at Ellis Park.
Concerns over the inexperienced backline
For the Round Four Rugby Championship fixture, Libbok returns to the matchday squad via the bench with Pollard absent for the clash against New Zealand at Sky Stadium in Wellington, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be tasked with marshalling a youthful backline.
He is partnered with the experienced Cobus Reinach in the half-backs, while Damian Willemse earns his first start at inside centre in his 43rd appearance with Canan Moodie in the number 13 jersey. Out wide, Ethan Hooker earns his first start in his third appearance and is joined by full-back Aphelele Fassi and Cheslin Kolbe.
Speaking on the Boks Uncapped podcast, Fleck voiced his concerns about the lack of seasoned and experienced partnerships in the backline and believes that the All Blacks will target that area of the pitch.
“It’s too many changes from my side; there are no solid combinations that have had time together,” the former midfielder said.
“I like the look of it in terms of the backline. It’s an exciting backline going forward, but to choose that backline as a first option in the second Test in New Zealand and try and get a result out of it, it’s a tough ask.
“Nice players, exciting players, but from a defensive situation with Sacha, Damian and Moodie, that’s a brand new combination in the midfield. It put them under serious pressure; the All Blacks are going to pick that up and they’re going to have a proper crack at them, they’re not scared to throw it around.”
Zoning in on the selection at fly-half, he continued: “From a game management perspective, they are going to look to Sacha for game control. Now, he hasn’t really been the guy doing that; he’s a brilliant individual rugby player, and we all know his ceiling is so high.
“But why was Pollard brought back in? He was brought back in to drive the team forward, get the forward pack going forward, kicking game, putting it in the corners.”
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Back-row balance and Marcus Smith likeness
Still, Fleck added that Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a good impact off the bench in the clash at Eden Park as he gave the Springboks better direction after Pollard got too lateral due to the pressure at the breakdown.
He believes that the back-row combination of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese is the best the Springboks have and should produce a better shift in that facet of the game.
“When New Zealand put us under pressure at the breakdown, Pollard became lateral and then you saw Sacha starting to really do one or two incisive runs – granted it was at 12,” he said.
“That’s what they’re probably looking for, but they’re not going to get the general game management from Sacha; he’s a bit like Marcus Smith at this stage. Why did the Lions choose a guy like Finn Russell? Why did England choose Fin Smith ahead of him? Because they control the pack.
“They keep their forwards going forward; they play for the team. Sacha is a little bit more individualistic, like a Marcus Smith, which is a big concern.
“But what they have got right is the loose trio combination, and that’s massive with Jasper Wiese back.”
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