‘Venting’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaks silence as Springboks star makes ‘crystal clear’ vow following ‘serious’ injury
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after suffering injury against Cardiff and the Stormers star on crutches (credit: Leighton Koopman).
Stormers and Springboks star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has admitted that he is “frustrated” and “irritated” by picking up an injury which could rule him out of the rest of the season and beyond.
The immensely gifted fly-half was forced off during the Cape Town outfit’s 44-21 United Rugby Championship victory over Cardiff at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
It occurred in the 52nd minute of the encounter when the 24-year-old sprinted clear to touch down for his side’s fourth try. The playmaker was ankle-tapped in the act of scoring and immediately looked in pain when he got back to his feet.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu on crutches
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was seen on crutches afterwards and could well be out for an extended period of time.
“Usually, I post caption-less carousels. This time I’ll say it how it is. Frustrated, irritated and questioning why me?” he wrote on Instagram.
“Sometimes the game reminds you that you’re not invincible!
“Another injury, another chance to come back hungry, determined and focused. I’ve got a job to do, get back and get back better than I left.
“I’m not one to dwell, but I’ll have a little vent! Now, BACK TO WORK! Next job, crystal clear vision and mindset. See you soon!!”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a few injury issues in the middle of the 2024/25 season but returned to become a key part in both the Stormers and Springboks set-ups.
While his form dipped in 2026, the fly-half had begun to re-find his rhythm recently and was looking in fine shape ahead of the URC run-in.
Stormers boss John Dobson admitted in the aftermath that the injury looked “pretty serious”, which is a blow for both player and team ahead of the semi-final against Leinster.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s replacements
Jurie Matthee came onto the field following Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s withdrawal and impressively guided them to victory over Cardiff in the final half-hour.
Matthee looks set to take the reins in the number 10 shirt for the last-four clash as they seek to reach their third URC showpiece, and first since 2023.
“It was a costly quarter-final,” Dobson said. “Sacha’s injury looks pretty serious to be honest.
“The doctor’s given me some views, but I don’t think it’s worth quoting him before his scans but it looks like a proper ankle injury.
“He was cramping a bit before then and looked uncomfortable when he started running back. We haven’t confirmed anything yet, but it’s concerning.
“It’s a big blow. But whenever we take a knock, this group tends to pull together and fight.
“We’ve lost probably the most in-form young player in world rugby the week before a semi-final, which is far from ideal. But the way Jurie Matthee is playing and the fight in this squad gives me confidence that we’ll find a way.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s injury could also impact the Springboks, with Rassie Erasmus’ men set to begin their Nations Championship campaign next month.
South Africa face England, Scotland and Wales before attention turns to The Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks with four Tests in August and September.
READ MORE: John Dobson’s verdict on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: ‘It’s a big blow’
