‘I feel so at home’ – Springboks prodigy reflects on ‘brilliant’ first start against Wallabies
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu celebrating the impressive 33-7 win over Austraila
Springboks prodigy Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has stated he feels ‘at home’ in the Springboks team following yet another impressive showing in the Green and Gold against the Wallabies.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made his maiden start for his country during the Boks 33-7 win at Suncorp Stadium yesterday-their first win in Brisbane since 2013-and he was a major part of their victory.
Speaking to the media after the game, Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.: “It felt amazing (to get that win) and I’m really happy that the guys could pull it together,”
“There was a lot of talk around the curse of Suncorp, so to come here and have a good training week and execute things well on the day was great.”
Despite the solid win, he said his side need to put it behind them ahead of their next meeting with Australia next weekend.
“I’m glad we achieved that, but it’s now behind us, and we have to go again next week.”
“I feel so at home”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is certainly the man of the moment for the Springboks, but the squad boasts plenty of experienced heads to help him through his journey.
Even in his own position, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok have both featured in World Cups, and elsewhere in the squad the likes of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe are some of the key leaders he can turn to for advice; and he admitted they bring him ‘a sense of comfort’ in the squad.
“It comes naturally, and to have double Rugby World Cup-winning champions around me helps because they bring a sense of comfort and security.
He added: “I feel so at home here (in this Springboks team) and it allows me to be myself on the field.”
“A building block for the future”
The Stormers ace has made a remarkable start to life on the Test stage this year. He made his debut off the bench in their impressive 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham, and only improved from there.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was only afforded a brief cameo in Test one against Ireland, but he was thrust into the spotlight in Test two as he replaced Willie le Roux after just two minutes.
Despite another solid performance he was again named on the bench against Portugal, but upon his entrance stole the show.
Things went up another gear against the Wallabies as he made his first start in the Green and Gold, but he didn’t let this phase him as he produced yet another brilliant showing. He chipped in with four conversions from the tee, and spearheaded the new expansive attack brilliantly.
His wonderful start to life in the Springboks side should certainly be treasured, but he detailed he wants this to be a platform to build from for the future.
“It’s my crown year, he said. “I definitely believe crown years are special. It’s really been an awesome year.”
He added: “To rub shoulders with my heroes and make the step-up to where they are now my teammates is a dream come true, and hopefully this is just a building block for the future.”
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