Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has Bok 10 jersey in his crosshairs

A fresh-faced Feinberg-Mngomezulu was beaming as he came up to accept his accolade in the SA Rugby Awards ceremony in Cape Town on Thursday evening. At just 23, eight caps into his international career and now an award, the world is at his talented feet.

While he started his junior Bok career in the flyhalf role, he has predominantly featured at inside centre for the Stormers and has been used off the bench at fullback for the Springboks. But truth be told, flyhalf is where he sees his future.

"I think the variety of characteristics needed in each of those positions is huge and picking up little traits in a No.12 or No.15 jersey ultimately helps me in the No.10 jumper - which I would like to play in the future," he told the press on Thursday.

"I don't take any of that time in any jersey for granted. Genuinely grateful to play. I had a couple of injuries and understand that game time is never given. So, whenever I get an opportunity in any jersey, I just enjoy it.

"Picking my battles is the one thing I will look at the most this year, and being a mature leader on the field.

"I want to lead the team forward and in the No.10 jersey, that's your responsibility and your job. I don't feel there is much wrong with my general game, I work hard and am confident in it. But just leading from the front and leading by example, it's my main focus for the year."

And Bok management has given him his opportunity. Feinberg-Mngomezulu's career-defining performances came in last year's Rugby Championship, where he started with No. 10 on his back in three consecutive matches. He kicked 16 points in the Boks' narrow win over perennial rivals New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park.

Undoubtedly, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus knows what he has in Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the Cape Town native will look to build on his past performances in the green and gold in 2025.

As for edging Cameron Hanekom, Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn and Henco van Wyk for the Young Player of the Year Award, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was humble.

"I am super proud to be part of the Springboks and have my life be so easy as a flyhalf like it was last year and to win awards like these," he said.

"Time has passed now, and it feels less as we have more tasks ahead. Nonetheless, it's a special feeling."

Feinberg-Mngomezulu is currently on the mend from a spate of injuries that have kept him out of action since December. However, he is expected to tour with the Stormers to Ulster and Scarlets at the end of March. 

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