Sacha's comeback mission: Keep the Springboks firing
After two frustrating months on the sidelines, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu isn’t heading into Saturday’s Test against Argentina with thoughts of making up for lost time or producing a standout individual performance.
Instead, the Springbok playmaker says his only objective is to slot seamlessly back into the world champions’ system and help the team continue the momentum built during his absence when he runs on in his 20th Test match on Saturday.
The 24-year-old makes his long-awaited return after suffering a syndesmosis ankle injury while scoring for the Stormers against Cardiff on May 30.
Initially feared to be a six-month setback, surgery and an intensive rehabilitation programme have seen him beat the odds to return in time for South Africa’s clash with Los Pumas.
*Continues below…
#SPOTLIGHT: Mystery Pumas present Springboks with a different challenge 👇#SouthAfrica #Springboks #LosPumas #Argentina #ARGvRSA https://t.co/WVBpqj46wN
— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) August 4, 2026
For Feinberg-Mngomezulu, however, this Test isn’t about proving his fitness.
“I went to Ellis Park to watch the England game and the one thing nobody can say is that the Springbok team doesn’t function, whoever is in the picture,” he said.
“So, I’m just coming in trying to facilitate that, keep progressing our game and keep us functioning. I want to take control of the departments that matter in my position.
“I’m really just trying to build again. I don’t feel too far behind because I worked really hard on my rehab, but I’m just trying to build and contribute what I can towards the squad.”
The injury came at the worst possible time, ending both his URC campaign and seemingly placing his Springbok season in jeopardy.
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, Feinberg-Mngomezulu used the enforced break to grow in different ways.
“No injury is nice. It was frustrating not being able to help the Stormers and then the Springbok equation was even more frustrating,” he admitted.
“But I’m really not one to dwell. I used the time to look at the game from a more technical aspect and develop areas of my game that I probably didn’t have time to before. It was disastrous when it happened, but I just made the most of the time off.”
*Also read: Sacha starts for Boks as stalwarts return for Los Pumas Test
His return is also made easier by having veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach alongside him.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu described Reinach as one of the senior players who has consistently taken him under his wing, recalling how the scrumhalf encouraged him to back himself with a long-range shot at goal against the All Blacks in one of his earliest Tests.
“I’ll never forget the first time we played the All Blacks and I wanted to take a shot at goal from distance. Cobus was the one who pointed at the goal for me. That defines our relationship.
“He really takes me under his wing, but we’re also good buddies. Sharing the field with him takes a lot of pressure off me. He uses all of his experience to help guys like myself.”
When Feinberg-Mngomezulu jokingly suggested Reinach was “37 or 38”, coach Rassie Erasmus quickly interjected with a smile and whispered: “He’s 35.”
The flyhalf laughed off the correction, adding that despite Reinach’s constant jokes about his age, the veteran remains one of the fittest players in the Springbok squad.
Register your interest to receive priority updates on RWC27 ticket releases. Don't miss out, stay in the loop!
