‘I feel so at home’ – Springboks star reflect on ‘brilliant’ first start against Wallabies
Springboks prodigy Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has stated he feels ‘at home’ in the Springboks team following yet another impressive showing in the Green and Gold against the Wallabies.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made his maiden start for his country during the Boks 33-7 win at Suncorp Stadium yesterday-their first win in Brisbane since 2013-and he was a major part of their victory.
Speaking to the media after the game, Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.: “It felt amazing (to get that win) and I’m really happy that the guys could pull it together,”
“There was a lot of talk around the curse of Suncorp, so to come here and have a good training week and execute things well on the day was great.”
Despite the solid win, he said his side need to put it behind them ahead of their next meeting with Australia next weekend.
“I’m glad we achieved that, but it’s now behind us, and we have to go again next week.”
“I feel so at home”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is certainly the man of the moment for the Springboks, but the squad boasts plenty of experienced heads to help him through his journey.
Even in his own position, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok have both featured in World Cups, and elsewhere in the squad the likes of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe are some of the key leaders he can turn to for advice; and he admitted they bring him ‘a sense of comfort’ in the squad.
“It comes naturally, and to have double Rugby World Cup-winning champions around me helps because they bring a sense of comfort and security.
He added: “I feel so at home here (in this Springboks team) and it allows me to be myself on the field.”
“A building block for the future”
The Stormers ace has made a remarkable start to life on the Test stage this year. He made his debut off the bench in their impressive 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham, and only improved from there.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was only afforded a brief cameo in Test one against Ireland, but he was thrust into the spotlight in Test two as he replaced Willie le Roux after just two minutes.
Despite another solid performance he was again named on the bench against Portugal, but upon his entrance stole the show.
Things went up another gear against the Wallabies as he made his first start in the Green and Gold, but he didn’t let this phase him as he produced yet another brilliant showing. He chipped in with four conversions from the tee, and spearheaded the new expansive attack brilliantly.
His wonderful start to life in the Springboks side should certainly be treasured, but he detailed he wants this to be a platform to build from for the future.
“It’s my crown year, he said. “I definitely believe crown years are special. It’s really been an awesome year.”
He added: “To rub shoulders with my heroes and make the step-up to where they are now my teammates is a dream come true, and hopefully this is just a building block for the future.”
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Springboks set for shock call-up, team changes
The Springboks made the perfect start to the Rugby Championship, but there are set to still be some surprise changes before the second Test.
The Springboks were vastly superior to the Wallabies on Saturday as they claimed a 33-7 victory to bank all five log points at the start of the Rugby Championship.
Although it was not a perfect performance, the Springboks could not have asked for a better result, especially considering the All Blacks subsequently lost to Argentina in a shock result.
The Springboks scored five tries to one after being forced to make a late injury change. Pieter-Steph du Toit started at lock and Ben-Jason Dixon was promoted to flanker (with Salmaan Moerat providing lock cover on the bench), after RG Snyman failed to recover from a foot injury.
It remains to be seen if Snyman will be available this week, while it was also revealed that Ruan Nortje is battling with a knee injury.
Erasmus confirmed after the match that both Snyman and Nortje will remain with the squad in Australia, but according to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Erasmus could make a shock call to lock Nico Janse van Rensburg to provide an insurance option in the second row.
Montpellier star Janse van Rensburg was a surprise call-up for the British & Irish Lions series in 2021. The 30-year-old, who is also capable at blindside flank, played for the SA ‘A’ team against the Lions and made his Test debut in the Rugby Championship against Argentina.
Other options for the Springboks to consider include uncapped Stormers star Ruben van Heerden, fit-again Munster lock Jean Kleyn and Sharks bruiser Jason Jenkins.
SPRINGBOKS ALREADY SET TO MAKE CHANGES
Interestingly, Erasmus has also hinted that they are keen to make changes to the team this week despite having kicked off their campaign in such emphatic fashion.
“Next week is a new Test and we want to give other players a chance, but that said we know Joe Schmidt (Australian head coach) and how he can turn things around,” said Erasmus.
“He’s only had four games with Australia, and next week is a new game and a new venue, and we are expecting a big challenge.”
NEXT UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA
The Springboks will travel to Perth on Sunday and begin their on-field preparations for the next Test on Monday.
That clash will kick off at 11:45 (SA time).
