Exclusive: Naas Botha Backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to Take Flyhalf Play to Another Level

From one legendary Springbok flyhalf to another in the making, Naas Botha has sung the praises of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as the 23-year-old continues to impress. 

The 23-year-old has taken more responsibility with the Stormers this season, as he wore the captain’s armband for the first time in January. 

It adds to his incredible ability as a playmaker at number 10, that has seen him already rated as one of the best players in world rugby.

As a proven match-winner, barring injury, a long career in the Springbok jersey is predicted.

Though Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has not confirmed it yet, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is already the first choice flyhalf for the world champions.

That’s especially significant considering he is competing with the experienced Handre Pollard, Jordan Hendrikse, Chris Smith, and Manie Libbok in the same position for the Boks.

For Botha, though, comparisons between players are somewhat irksome. 

Botha Questions the Need for Constant Player Comparisons

“You know, somebody the other day was trying to compare the one with the other one. And this one and who's the better one,” Botha told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

“And the question I'm trying to raise is why must there always be who's the better one?"

“It depends on the coach what he wants for a particular game. If he wants that style and he believes that guy suits what he wants out of that game and if that's Sacha, then that's it.”

Record-Breaking Performances and Rising Star Status

Feinberg-Mngomezulu is coming off a stellar international season for South Africa. 

During the Rugby Championship, he notched up his first try for his nation against Argentina, as he went on to score two more tries before breaking Percy Montgomery’s long-standing record for most points scored by a South African in a Test match.

He would go on to score tries against Japan, France, Ireland, and Wales on their November tour. In the process, he also broke the record for most tries by a Springbok flyhalf, which had stood at eight. 

Last month, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was also nominated for SA Rugby’s Men’s and Young Player of the Year Awards. 

Such is the quality of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s play that he is already being compared to legendary New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter. His rise to the top has been rapid, as prior to the Rugby Championship, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was regarded as definite talent but certainly not a future great of the game.

Botha Believes Feinberg-Mngomezulu Will Revolutionise Flyhalf Play

Botha, meanwhile, is under no illusion about just how far Feinberg-Mngomezulu will go in rugby.

“I think at the moment Sacha is proving a point, and I think seriously he's going to take flyhalf play to a different level. He's seriously going to take it to a different level,” Botha added. 

“What I like about the situation at the moment is that normally we see guys playing two, three, four great games. 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. But at the moment, my attitude towards that whole thing is let's appreciate what we see," he concluded.