Fit-again utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu can make a huge difference to the Stormers in their overseas URC matches. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is ready to take on the integral role of driving the Stormers’ gameplan when he returns to the playing field this weekend.
The 23-year-old is fit and ready to get stuck in when the team travels to the UK for back-to-back matches in Wales and Ireland. He recovered from a couple of niggly injuries, most recently a shoulder, and wants to lead the side as they make a push for the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs.
The Stormers head to Llanelli this week to face the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets and the expectation is that Feinberg-Mngomezulu will feature in the team in some form.
After collecting the Young Player of the Year Award at the recent SA Rugby Awards in Cape Town, the 23-year-old expressed his desire to lead his team as the flyhalf.
“I want to be a mature leader on the field,” he said.
“As the flyhalf, your responsibility in the 10-jersey is to lead the team forward. It’s your job and I want to do that. I don’t feel there is much wrong with my general game, I work very hard at it, and I am confident in it. Leading from the front and by example will probably be my main focus for the year.”
The Stormers have missed a second playmaker in the injury absence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, regular flyhalf Manie Libbok and utility-back Damian Willemse. They had to rely on full-back Warrick Gelant to spark their attack, but the imminent return of Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse could see the side get to their attacking best again.
They are currently in 12th place on the overall URC log and desperately need a few away wins to gain momentum. They will return to the DHL Stadium in April with four home games and hope to secure a play-off berth in the tournament.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is hopeful he can gain more experience in the coming games to take that into the international season. He could be set for more Tests at flyhalf with the Springboks when the mid-year matches against Italy and Georgia arrive. The world champions will also face the Barbarians in a friendly match.
“The next step forward will be for me to listen more eagerly and pay more attention to detail with how the senior players operate. Not getting carried away will be key, but just to stay humble and present.”
