VIDEO: 'People are keen to see him get more game time'
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick is a very keen observer of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s growth in the Springbok set-up.
The 22-year-old utility back will be on the bench again when the Springboks face Ireland in the second Test at Kings Park on Saturday.
If he does enter the field, it will be his third Test appearance for Rassie Erasmus’ side after his bench roles in the win over Wales at Twickenham in June and last weekend’s 27-20 win over Ireland in Pretoria.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been hailed as one of the most promising talents in the country, saw less than 10 minutes of action last weekend and Stick cannot guarantee that he will get more game time in the second Test.
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“Sacha has been doing well in our system,” said the Bok assistant.
“He was part of our team two years back on the end-of-year tour and we always knew that he has great potential.
“He is probably a copy and paste of what Damian Willemse offers us by playing at No.10, No.12 and also being an option at No.15.
“When he got an opportunity, he looks like a player that is excited. He wants to contribute and he wants to do better for the team.
“I know a lot of people are very keen to see him get more game time and we as coaches would love to see him more.
“However, if you make changes too early in the game and you end up getting injuries it might backfire on you.”
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Stick added: “I know it’s frustrating sometimes when he doesn’t get a lot of game time, but he understands our plan and he also respects the team.
“I would also love to see him more on the field, but I enjoy seeing his growth.
“Even if he gets 20 minutes or 10 minutes, you can see he is a guy who wants to make an impact in the game.
“To slot that penalty at Twickenham [against Wales] like that at that age shows the great potential in him.”
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In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV