Sacha to put his best foot forward
12/17/2024 11:30 PM
Playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu believes helping the DHL Stormers turn things around this season is his first 'stepping stone' back into the Springbok setup.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was concussed in a loss to the Sharks at the end of November, is set to return for the injury-hit Stormers in Saturday's Vodacom URC clash against the Lions at Cape Town Stadium.
"For any player, franchise rugby is the step to get to international rugby. So I don't take for granted any moment I have here, and I know this is a stepping stone to becoming a better player," he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’m just working hard here and trying to do my job correctly, then we will hopefully get some good outcomes from that.
“The national team isn't something you consciously think about when you're in the setup here, but just executing your individual roles will set you up for your journey."
The 22-year-old made a strong statement for the Boks in 2024 before a knee injury cut short his rookie Test season, though he did enough to earn a nomination for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year award.
The Stormers are 0-4 in all competitions since beating Munster in October, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu is committed to reversing this trend.
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"For now we just want to put our best foot forward in the URC and let the rest take care of itself. The international window is six, seven months away; it's a long time. Two good fixtures in two weeks and it's a whole different story."
A generational talent with supreme skills on attack, defence and from the kicking tee, eight-Test Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced some eye-catching performances in his breakthrough season for the Boks.
Reflecting on his rapid rise, he added, "I had ambitions of representing the national side, yet I didn't think it would go as well as it did, so looking back on it I can only feel blessed.
"The year has been a big learning curve… Looking forward, I just want to keep this momentum."
The Lions travel to Cape Town on Saturday in fifth place on the URC table and off the back of a big victory against Pau at Ellis Park, their first win in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season.
On what the Stormers expect from the Pride, Feinberg-Mngomezulu said: "It is a South African derby, so we know them quite well and we know what to expect.
"I’m sure they will make plans for us and Saturday will be about who can stick to their plan or, when things go wrong, make a better one."
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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