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Erasmus On Sacha’s First Bok Start: We Have To Build For Future

  • August 6, 2024
  • 3 min read
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Erasmus On Sacha’s First Bok Start: We Have To Build For Future

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to start Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half against Australia in the opening Rugby Championship match at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for new players with an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia.

Despite having experienced options like Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok available, Erasmus believes this is the right time to give Feinberg-Mngomezulu a chance to shine. “It is a big opportunity for him (Feinberg-Mngomezulu), like Elrigh Louw (at 8),” said Erasmus on Tuesday after he announced the squad. 

“After the World Cup you will find some guys knocking on the door. But to have a guy like Handre, more than 70 caps on the bench, that is nice security and with Damian Willemse still out, we have given chances to Jordan Hendrikse, Manie here, we have got some nice depth at 10. 

“But yeah, it is an exciting opportunity for him and hopefully the forwards can give him a platform and a smooth game which will be tough.”  

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s selection is reward for impressive performances at fullback against Ireland and Portugal, where in the latter match he notably set up a try for Mapimpi. Erasmus stressed the importance of balancing the present and future. “We can’t look too far ahead and forget the present, we also can’t look at the present and forget about the future,” continued Erasmus.  

“I think there is nine guys in the squad that weren’t regulars prior to the World Cup last year as we were rotating in and out. But I wouldn’t say it is a change of guard (that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is starting), but giving guys opportunities while guys like Handre, Manie and Jordan, they helped nurturing these guys from test match level.  

“It is his fifth cap (Feinberg-Mngomezulu). We used to say when went to the 2019 World Cup, we don’t want to go with the guy with eight, nine caps to the World Cup. I think it is well-documented and I don’t think the World Cup has been won with the flyhalf with less 24-years old, I think Jonny Wilkinson was the youngest (with England in 2003).  

“So, it’s not a change of guard. It’s a squad of 45 guys, trying to win test matches and certainly looking ahead for the future.”   

In all, Erasmus reiterated that the primary goal is to win matches while developing talent for the future. The Boks has not won the Rugby Championship since 2019.

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