A week before their trip to the Stade de France to challenge the Blues, the Springboks have undoubtedly found their new number 10 of the future.
To begin its series of test matches in November, the XV of France is tackling what is best. It is South Africa, number 1 in the World Rugby rankings, which will arrive on Saturday at the Stade de France, for a revenge of the heartbreaking quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup.
Even though they lost two matches this summer during the Rugby Championship, the Springboks still retained their title at the expense of New Zealand, and they remain the international benchmark. The world champions did not provide details on Saturday when they faced Japan (61-7) at Wembley to launch their tour in the northern hemisphere.
Still just as scary with their previous package, the Boks have added a new string to their bow with a player profile that they didn’t really have. A fly half capable of making individual differences with the ball in hand. His name is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, he’s 23 years old, and he overwhelmed the experienced Eddie Jones with his two tries in the first half.
“ I’m impressed by his leg speed, he has very quick feet, and he’s a big guy for a number 10,
confided the English technician. He has a great defensive game, so you just have to give him a little opportunity and he’s gone. He poses a different threat to South Africa. »
“They’ve always had an aerial threat, but now they have a ground threat if they get a fastball. We let him through just once, and he made us pay for it, adds Eddie Jones. If he continues to develop his game, learning when to play fast and when to play slow, he will become an exceptional player. »
The Springboks “well off” at the opening
Asked about his new nugget, Rassie Erasmus preferred to talk about the teamwork carried out around this player.
“We mustn’t forget that he has been with us since 2022, during our tour of Ireland where he played for the South Africa A’ team against Munster and Bristol. It comes from our Player Development System (EPD)”recalled the South African rugby boss.
“Everyone talks about a meteoric progression, but he has worked with all the coaches at every stage of his development and trained with us throughout the end of year tour. He also works with Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Mzwandile Stick and Tony Brown. We know he has great talent and in increasingly difficult matches – like tonight, in the rain, against a Japanese team we have struggled to beat before – he was physical for a No.10, he played well on the foot, tackled well and he has an innate feel for the game.”
“With him, Manie and Handre, we are well off for the opening,” adds Rassie Erasmus. “We can see that Sacha is gaining confidence in this position, but we face France next week and Ireland later in the tour. We must therefore always continue to progress. » The opponents have been warned.
