Rassie Erasmus: It would be ‘stupid’ not to start Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu against the All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus has defended his decision to keep Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the side.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus believes it would be ‘stupid’ to bench breakthrough star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for the upcoming All Blacks Test, citing his need to ‘make mistakes’.
The Stormers ace has made a fantastic start to life in the Green and Gold since making his debut against Wales, but he faces his biggest challenge to date as he starts at fly-half against arch-rivals New Zealand at Ellis Park.
Learning from past experience
Erasmus’ own time in the Springboks during his playing career leaves the World Cup-winning coach thinking it would be ‘stupid’ to leave him out of the team.
“I played a Test match with Gaffie du Toit and he was thrown in there in a Test match in Dunedin or Auckland against an All Blacks team that I didn’t even want to look in the eyes as we walked through the tunnel,” Erasmus told the media.
“He was thrown out there at ten with Dave von Hoesslin and he was basically carried off and never played for the Springboks again [at ten].”
“Let him make some mistakes”
Despite having some experience with players who were thrown in at the deep end against the All Blacks, Erasmus believes Feinberg-Mngomezulu ‘isn’t the same’.
“Sacha isn’t the same. Sacha was marked at U15 and U16 systems, he played SA Schools, he was captain of the Junior Boks and played U20 at the highest level and then he trained against the Springboks fully last year and now is playing his sixth game,” Erasmus continued.
“He’s been building up from Wales, Ireland, Portugal, Australia and up like that, to now take it away from him at the highest level (against the All Blacks) would be stupid. Let him make some mistakes, learn and get better.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be making just his third start in this crucial Test in Johannesburg, but you feel if he can replicate his form so far in the Rugby Championship he could make the number 10 jersey his own.
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The rise of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
The rapid growth of the versatile back is nothing short of a fairy-tale story. He was thrust into the Test arena in the Springboks 41-13 dismantling of Wales at Twickenham.
His performance earned him a surprise spot on the bench for Test One against Ireland, but he was only afforded a brief cameo. He got much more exposure in Test Two though, where he came into the game after just two minutes for Willie le Roux.
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A week later was his real arrival into the spotlight, as he produced a second-half masterclass in the 64-21 win over Portugal. He knocked over five conversions from the tee and produced some highlight-reel plays as well.
Heading into the Rugby Championship, Erasmus put his faith in the youngster, handing him his first start against the Wallabies, and he took his chance with both hands, producing another exceptional performance. He later started Test Two, and was again solid.
Can he continue his brilliant form in the Green and Gold?
