VIDEO: Boks' Sacha versus Damian conundrum
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s meteoric rise in the South African landscape will leave Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus with a rather pleasant conundrum in the not-too-distant future.
Having made his Test debut against Wales at Twickenham in June, he has featured in all six internationals this year – starting in both Rugby Championship Tests against Australia Down Under this month.
When utility back Damian Willemse, sidelined after surgery to his finger, returns, it will create an intriguing challenge for Erasmus.
Willemse is a candidate to start at fullback, as he did at the World Cup last year, but is there then still room for another utility?
Would the Bok coach consider perhaps starting two such prodigious talents – Feinberg-Mngomezulu (at No.10) and Willemse (at No.15)?
Double World Cup-winning utility back Frans Steyn, who made his Bok debut at age 19 and won his two World Cup titles 12 years apart, admitted it is a selection challenge he would not like to face.
“He [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] is a very good player,” the 78-times capped retired Bok said.
Steyn said ‘squad pressure’ – depth in the squad – is a good thing.
However, it does present certain challenges.
(WATCH as Springbok legend and Cheetah boss Frans Steyn discusses the merits of two prodigious talents – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse….)
“Only 23 players can play every weekend,” he said, adding: “Here at the Cheetahs the players push each other and feel bad about leaving someone out.”
Returning to the Feinberg-Mngomezulu question, he admitted that when Willemse returns it will be interesting to see who they select.
“Sacha and Damian are very much the same type of player in my opinion,” Steyn said.
“It is going to get interesting for them [the Springbok selectors].
“It is a great headache to have.
“It is a headache I certainly don’t want, because they have some very good players at present.”
He highlighted the depth in the squad, pointing out that the Boks beat Australia by 30-12 with what many regarded as a second-string selection.
“Rassie and his [coaching] team is doing something very special.”
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