Rassie Erasmus explains Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu selection and reveals when Handre Pollard will return
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus (left) has detailed the factors in selecting Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to retain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the starting XV, despite admitting he is still to ‘hit his straps’ across the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has started each of the three Tests in the gripping series against the All Blacks, while competitor Manie Libbok has featured on the bench.
Rassie Erasmus explains Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu selection
Following the injury to Cheslin Kolbe in Soweto, though, Feinberg-Mngomezulu dropped back to full-back with Libbok then sliding in at fly-half. In that time, it seemed the Boks‘ attack went up another gear, only furthered by the introduction of Morne van den Berg in the second half, which has since led to calls for Libbok to get a start in Test Four in Baltimore.
But Erasmus has kept the faith in Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and explained a key factor in his selection.
“The game is different in the last 30 minutes when everybody’s a little bit tired and there are more gaps (to play in),” the Boks boss said. “Apart from Sacha’s skills, he’s a really good defender, and that’s one of the big things when the All Blacks try and get a fast start.
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“There are still some areas where he’s not 100% hitting his straps just yet, but he was out for a long time and this will be his fourth game back.
“Manie can come on after five minutes if Sacha gets injured and he can handle the pressure, but we might need him late in the game.”
However, in keeping Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the run-on group and Libbok on the bench, there is still no room for experienced fly-half Handre Pollard in the 23.
The Bulls ace, who starred for the Springboks in their 2023 Rugby World Cup final victory over the All Blacks, was due to start in Test Two of the Greatest Rivalry Series in Cape Town, only to pull out at the last minute through a calf injury.
There were hopes he would feature at some point in the Tests at either the FNB Stadium or Baltimore, USA, but it seems he will make his return to the field when the Springboks play Australia next weekend.
“We could have selected Handre,” Erasmus admitted. “We’ll probably play against Australia.”
