After a lengthy layoff through injuries, SA Rugby's Young Player of the Year winner Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is ready to return to the rugby field. Photo: Henk Kruger /Independent Newspapers
Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is ready to return to action in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with the Stormers with an eye on an injury-free end to the tournament heading into the new international season.
The 23-year-old picked up a couple of niggles that kept him on the sidelines for the last few months, but his return is imminent as the URC heads for an exciting ending. The Stormers will play two games overseas, starting next weekend, before finishing with four in Cape Town.
After being crowned SA Rugby's Young Player of the Year on Thursday evening in the Mother City, the rising star said he has fully recovered and is ready to dazzle on the field again.
While picking up little traits covering a host of positions as a utility back, the youngster said he is primed for an extended run on the field as he hopes to make the flyhalf jersey his home looking to the future.
At the Stormers, he will compete with Manie Libbok and Jurie Matthee to wear the 10-jersey, while Libbok, Handre Pollard, and Jordan Hendrikse are amongst the Bok flyhalves.
So, Feinberg-Mngomezulu will have his work cut out for him when he restarts his season. The utility back is poised to make his comeback overseas in Wales when the Stormers take on the Scarlets, looking to break into the URC top eight.
“I feel confident and well-prepared, and the injury lay-off time has only served me good,” Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.
“I’ve done it properly and put my best foot forward to have a good season. Hopefully, it’s an injury-free one (from here on). But what happens, happens. I like to play the game at 100% and if that means sometimes my body takes a toll, it is what it is.
“Of course, picking my battles will be one thing I focus on, but I feel really sharp.”
On the award, he says he feels good about it and is proud to be part of the Springboks who make his life as a flyhalf easy as it was last season.
He added that awards like this are a special thing, but the focus has already shifted to what the new season will bring as well as performing at the Stormers.
The Boks will play 15 Tests this year and Feinberg-Mngomezulu will look to add to the eight he already has.
“Moving between positions in the backline has helped me grow a lot. The variety of characteristics needed in those positions is massive. Picking up little traits in the 12 jumper or at 15, ultimately helps me at flyhalf where I want to play in the future.
“But I don’t take any of the time in those jerseys, whether at 10, 12, or 15, for granted. I am genuinely grateful to play. I’ve had a couple of injuries, so I understand that game time is never a given.
“So, whenever I get an opportunity in any jersey, I enjoy it.”
He highlighted rubbing shoulders at the Stormers with Libbok, Damian Willemse, and Warrick Gelant as something special that helped develop his game further. And, he added, whether it’s at the Stormers or Springboks, he has been blessed being able to play alongside players who’ve won World Cups and played at the highest level for so many years.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also comfortable dealing with the pressure following his meteoric rise and says it hasn’t been tricky to cope with.
“I’ve always been someone to put myself out there, whether on social media or whatever from a young age. With hype comes criticism and that is a piece of the cake I do not mind.
“It doesn’t get to my head because I am surrounded by humble and strong individuals, and I like to think they keep me grounded. Whatever comes with the job I do, I will grab it with both hands.”
