Ex-England fly-half: ‘Next Dan Carter’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is on the ‘fast track towards greatness’
Springboks star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and All Blacks legend Dan Carter.
Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has lavished praise on Springboks playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who he claims is the “next Dan Carter”.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough Test year in 2024 before building on that in 2025 and ending the November campaign as clearly South Africa’s first choice 10.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has since endured a downturn in form, struggling in a Stormers side that have also faltered after a blistering start to the season, but he has started to find his rhythm once again.
While there was the odd error, which Barnes highlighted in his The Times column, the former England pivot states that the Boks star very much has time on his side to fine-tune his game and become one of the sport’s greats.
‘No limit’ to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s potential
“In the URC match between Ulster and the Stormers from Cape Town, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was making an appalling hash of a long-range drop kick,” he wrote.
“The Springbok fly-half was even dropping Ulster clearances. His restarts are not the greatest and while he made one magnificent try-saving cover tackle, he threw himself recklessly and randomly at a few others, resulting in increasing momentum for Ulster raids.
“He’s not perfect but along with Matthieu Jalibert he is the most exciting fly-half in the world. Just 24, there is no limit to his potential. Remember when Finn Russell was an average goal kicker, a genius who looked as if he wasn’t bothered with the mundane elements of rugby?”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu touched down twice in the 38-38 URC draw with Ulster on Friday while he also added 11 points with the boot in a fine individual display.
There are still issues the Springboks pivot needs to tidy up but, if he does, Barnes expects him to become the biggest name in rugby.
“Feinberg-Mngomezulu is on the fast track towards greatness. His 37-point haul, including a hat-trick of tries, against Argentina was the warning shot for the world,” he wrote.
“Ulster were excellent on Friday night but when the Stormers fly-half dropped deep and accelerated on to a pass a few metres from the breakdown, there was no stopping him.
“Speed, a swerve, a muscular fend and — most of all — the vision to pick the gap before others see it; it makes him the man likely to depose Antoine Dupont as the world’s most famous rugby face.
“Like [Matthieu] Jalibert for Bordeaux against Bath, he tore the midfield defence to shreds, leaving room wider out. The Springbok carves opposition into pieces.
“Who cares about a fluffed drop-goal when a fly-half can do so much damage? It took Fabien Galthié a while to understand that the cutting edge magnificence of the Bordeaux No.10 more than makes up for the odd missed tackle.
“The first and most important responsibility of a fly-half is to steer and galvanise his team. Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes attack look like child’s play.”
The potential impact of the Rugby World Cup
Injury-depending, England supporters will get the chance to see him close up when they take on the Springboks in the first round of the Nations Championship in July.
However, everything is in preparation for the next Rugby World Cup which kicks off in just under 18 months’ time, which could elevate his status.
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“Long, lean, elegant, he is potentially the face of rugby’s future. In a year’s time the world will see him take the stage in the 2027 World Cup,” Barnes added.
“Should he so choose, the Springbok fly-half is set to become rugby’s most marketable commodity. His contract with the Stormers — perhaps coincidentally — runs out the same year.
“This fly-half, barring the unfortunate, is the next Dan Carter; quicker, maybe better.
“The next time England fans see South Africa will be in July. Prepare yourselves for Feinberg-Mngomezulu headlines. They are set to dominate the rugby world.”
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