Rassie Erasmus’ verdict on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Elrigh Louw’s performance against Australia

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Elrigh Louw earned their first starts for the Springboks against Australia.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has commented on the performances of rookie Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and back-rower Elrigh Louw, who both earned their first starts against Australia.
After starring off the bench in his first four games for the Springboks, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was entrusted with the starting number 10 jumper against Australia and performed superbly, guiding the side to a 33-7 victory over the Wallabies and their first win at Suncorp Stadium since 2013.
Meanwhile, Louw was brought into the starting XV after a bright cameo off the bench against Portugal and also enjoyed a fine outing against Australia.
Pleasing performances
Following the victory, Erasmus was asked whether he was pleased by the performances of the two players earning their first starts in the Green and Gold jersey.
“I think so, overall they played really well,” he said.
“Salmaan [Moerat] came on and also did well, it’s a pity that Marco [van Staden] got a yellow but I thought he and Kwagga Smith brought good energy.
“But we wanted the two guys earning their fifth caps and first starts, Elrigh and Sacha, to experience what it is like to play at a venue where we normally really struggle and against a team that we have a lot of history with and see how they go.”
While Erasmus was pleased by how the two conducted themselves, he did add that there was still work to do.
“They certainly weren’t perfect performances from them but there was no lack of effort or confidence which is probably the most delighted one can be about their performances,” Erasmus concluded.
The next generation of Springboks
The Bok head coach has issued 11 Test debuts this year while also giving youth an opportunity to shine, particularly in the case of handing Feinberg-Mngomezulu the starting number 10 role despite stiff competition from World Cup winners Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard.
Erasmus has repeatedly explained that the Springboks will need to usher in the next generation with many of the double World Cup winners now well into their 30s.
But what has really impressed the ex-flanker is the manner in which the older heads are assisting the development of the youngsters who will likely take their place in the squad.
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“We are definitely looking at the future without looking too far ahead because the present then bites you but for me, the nicest thing for us as a management group and SA Rugby is the fact that the players understand that,” he explained.
“Some guys are happy to stand back a little bit and help grow the youngsters because eventually some of the youngsters are going to get a rude awakening as they become better players because the opposition gets tougher.
“Like next week, Marika Koroibete could be back for the Wallabies and if he slams one or two guys they must be able to handle it and then the big dogs must help them.
“But we certainly have an eye on the future but staying in the present, trying to do both.”