How Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Rose to the Front of the Springboks Fly-Half Race
Naas Botha believes the young Bok’s rare pace is reshaping Rassie Erasmus’ 10 jersey debate
There is a particular electricity that follows Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu these days. It shows in the way he squares up defenders, in how he attacks the gainline without hesitation, and in the confidence with which he now steers the Springbok backline. What began as a promising debut season has quickly evolved into something more meaningful: a genuine shift in South Africa’s fly-half landscape.
And according to one of the greatest No.10s the country has ever produced, there is a simple reason the 23-year-old has risen to the front of the queue.
“He’s extremely quick,” said Naas Botha — and in his eyes, that single attribute changes everything.
A Rapid Rise to the Top
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s Test journey has moved at the same pace that now defines his play. After debuting against Wales last year at Twickenham, he has accumulated 20 caps in remarkably short order. Injury kept him out of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, but his return during the 2025 mid-year Tests immediately reignited the selection contest.
Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok and Feinberg-Mngomezulu shared responsibilities during the Rugby Championship, yet by the closing rounds, the Stormers playmaker was beginning to look like Erasmus’ preferred conductor.
That trend strengthened in the Autumn Nations Series: four starts in five Tests — Japan, France, Ireland and Wales — with Pollard taking the reins against Italy and Libbok used primarily from the bench.
The message was subtle but unmistakable: South Africa were leaning toward the future.
Botha’s View: “He’s Made Himself the No.1”
Speaking on DSPN with Martin Devlin, Botha dismissed the idea that Erasmus has a rigid pecking order. Instead, he believes Feinberg-Mngomezulu has forced the issue through output and presence.
“I don’t think Rassie’s got a favourite,” he said. “Sacha, the way he’s playing… he sort of made himself the number one choice.”
Then came the detail that separates him from his rivals.
“The thing that puts him apart from the other two is he’s extremely quick. You give him half a gap and he’s gone.”
For Botha — a master of manipulating time and space — raw speed in a modern fly-half is priceless. It forces defenders to sit back. It widens channels. It allows South Africa to play either direct or expansive without changing personnel.
Three Tens, Three Different Tools
If Feinberg-Mngomezulu brings acceleration, Pollard still offers the most dependable boots in world rugby. Botha framed him as the general for tight, tactical contests.
“He’s your guy if you want to play direct rugby,” Botha explained. “If it’s going to be like the old England — penalties, pressure — Handré never misses. Any World Cup final, any moment.”
Libbok, meanwhile, occupies a different niche. His distribution and instinctive creativity make him an ideal injection when the game opens up.
“At the moment it works extremely well if, after 40 or 50 minutes, the game becomes looser,” Botha said. “Manie off the bench is extremely good.”
He also noted Pollard’s versatility, referencing the inside-centre option South Africa occasionally deploy.
Why Midfield Selection Shapes the No.10 Decision
Erasmus’ fly-half dilemma does not exist in isolation. The midfield composition — direct power runners or ball-playing distributors — heavily influences who starts at 10.
“We’ve got two types of midfields,” Botha said. “A very direct one, and then the ball players. Rassie looks at the opposition and decides what we need.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s value, he argues, lies in his adaptability. He can run a punch-through-traffic midfield one week and orchestrate a flowing, wide-channel attack the next.
That versatility, paired with his pace, creates a platform South Africa have rarely had in a first-receiver.
A Fly-Half Who Attacks the Line Without Hesitation
Botha highlighted something supporters have noticed too: Feinberg-Mngomezulu plays on the front foot. He stands flat, challenges defenders, and has already amassed an impressive try tally for a fly-half.
“He’s not hanging back in the pocket,” Botha pointed out. “He’s scored eight or 10 tries already — and they’re good tries.”
For the Springboks, accustomed to fly-halves who manage territory first and attack second, that marks a notable evolution.
The Bigger Picture for South Africa
The Springboks’ depth at 10 has often been a source of angst. Now, for the first time in years, it resembles a strategic advantage. Pollard remains the trusted statesman. Libbok brings instinct and flair. Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds pace, courage and a willingness to turn half-chances into full ones.
If he continues on this trajectory, he may not only hold the jersey — he may redefine what a Springbok fly-half looks like.
South Africa haven’t just found a new option. They may have discovered the next leader of their attack.
