From one legendary Springbok flyhalf to another in the making, Naas Botha has backed Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to elevate the No 10 role to new heights.
The flyhalf has assumed greater responsibility for the Stormers this season and captained the side for the first time in January, underlining his growing influence.
Already rated among the best young playmakers in world rugby, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s rise has been rapid. Though Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has yet to formally confirm a first-choice flyhalf, the 23-year-old has made the No 10 jersey his own despite competition from Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok.
Botha, however, is wary of comparisons.
“Somebody the other day was trying to compare the one with the other one – who’s the better one,” Botha told SportsBoom.co.za. “The question I’m trying to raise is why must there always be who’s the better one?
“It depends on the coach and what he wants for a particular game. If he believes that guy suits what he wants out of that game and if that’s Sacha, then that’s it.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu enjoyed a standout 2025 international season.
During the Rugby Championship, he scored a hat-trick of tries in a 37-point haul against Argentina at Kings Park that broke Percy Montgomery’s record for the most points scored by a Springbok in a Test.
He later crossed against Japan, France, Ireland and Wales on the November tour to take his tally to nine tries in 19 Tests and break the record for most tries by a Springbok flyhalf.
Last month, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was nominated for the SA Rugby Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards as well as for the Investec Player of the Year award following the Champions Cup pool stage.
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“I think at the moment Sacha is proving a point, and seriously he’s going to take flyhalf play to a different level,” said Botha.
“What I like is that normally we see guys play two, three, four great games and then suddenly you must take a break. A sportsman plays with confidence – he’s got the confidence. So keep playing him.
“I feel sorry for the other guys. If they have to sit on the bench a little bit, then you sit on the bench until he starts making mistakes. At the moment, my attitude is let’s appreciate what we see.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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