Mike Greenaway
There was a moment caught by TV cameras at Loftus Versfeld that summed up the brightness of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s future as the Springbok flyhalf.
It was late in the first Test against Ireland and the youngster had come on for a spectacular cameo in which all he touched turned to gold. The cameras swept to the coaching box where Rassie Erasmus and attack coach Tony Brown were looking at each other with beaming smiles that said “jackpot!”
The pair know that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the future around which a brilliant Springbok backline can be built.
This does not mean that Handre Pollard’s days are numbered. Not at all.
Erasmus is on record as saying he will not overplay emerging talent because, in his days as a player, he saw young talent trashed too soon and careers prematurely ended. The unfortunate career of the gifted Gaffie du Toit is an example.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be given increasing game time, starting with the current tour of Australia, and the idea will be that the 2027 defence of the World Cup could be centred on him.
Much will depend on how Pollard plays over the next few years because he is no has-been at 30, and at the next World Cup he would still be five years younger than the 38-year-old Johnny Sexton had been for Ireland last year.
Pollard will remain the No 1 flyhalf for the remainder of this year and probably next.
Let us not forget Manie Libbok, who remains a fantastic playmaker but an unreliable goal-kicker. If he can sort out his kicking issues, the Boks will have at least three world-class flyhalfs going to Australia in 2027: Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Pollard and Libbok.
On departure to Australia for the Rugby Champions games in Brisbane and Perth, Erasmus reflected on the growing role of Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“I have my view on his best position and Tony Brown has very good plans for him,” Erasmus said. “We know that Sacha can play 10, 12 and 15, all with ease.
“I think we now have good depth at 10, 12 and 15. Someone like Lukhanyo Am, for example, settled in well against Portugal at 12 after Andre Esterhuizen’s red card and after his long injury.
“I think Sacha’s best position is 10.”
The 22-year-old has appeared in four Tests since his debut against Wales on June 22. Erasmus has cleverly given him spurts off the bench and each time the youngster has flourished. Erasmus knows he has a once-in-a-generation player on his hands and he will nurture him with loving care.
“I feel that one day Sacha is captaincy material,” the coach said.
“It’s just about how we take the next step. It is about how we help him. He has a bright future and he must be managed.”
Another young player who will get increased game time is Bulls No 8 Elrigh Louw. It is a position of opportunity because Duane Vermeulen has retired, Jasper Wiese is suspended and Bulls prodigy Cameron Hanekom is injured. That leaves old warrior Kwagga Smith and fresh debutant Phepsi Buthelezi. Erasmus has made it clear that this tour is Louw’s time to shine. This is his chance.
“We want to see Elrigh against big teams. He was always in our plans but had a slump,” said Erasmus. “Now he can state his case.”
Injuries to Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert provide an opportunity at No 5 lock. Options include Pieter-Steph du Toit, RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje but is likely that Erasmus wants to give Bulls workhorse Nortje a shot at climbing up the No 5 ladder.