Matfield backs Sacha, not Manie, for long-term Springbok flyhalf role

Victor Matfield has surprisingly asked for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to be tried and tested at flyhalf because be believes the youngster will be the perfect successor to Springbok Handre Pollard.

BIG VIC WANTS STORMERS ACE FOR SPRINGBOKS

Pollard has long been the Springboks’ No 1 playmaker, with Elton Jantjies previously serving as his duty. Since Jantjies’ abrupt and controversial exit from the Test rugby scene, Manie Libbok has stepped up to the plate in that role.

But speaking during a Vodacom United Rugby Championship online round table discussion on Tuesday, Matfield confirmed his belief that Feinberg-Mngomezulu should be considered as Pollard’s long-term Springboks replacement, not Libbok.

“I’m a big fan of Sacha,” for legendary Matifeld revealed. “I think he is the next Springboks flyhalf. I would like to see the Stormers give him a bit more of a chance at flyhalf, not just at inside centre.

“He is a bit bigger than Manie. I think he can attack the advantage line and kicks well. As a schoolboy, his kicking at the posts was superb. I would like to see the Stormers ask him to take over their goal-kicking job.

“Sacha was excellent at U20 Junior Springboks level. At junior level, he was in a different class, but at senior level, I haven’t seen much of him in the No 10 jersey.”

“I really like Manie and he has a lot of good qualities, but there is a lot of talk about whether he can take the step up,” the Springboks great explained said. “He’s had a few chances.

“Manie is great. But I would like to see Sacha get more opportunities [at the Springboks].”

CONFIRMED SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST FIXTURES FOR 2024:

• Saturday, 22 June: Springboks vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
• Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
• Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
• Saturday, 20 July: Springboks vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
• Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
• Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
• Saturday, 31 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
• Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
• Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v Springboks (venue TBC)
• Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
• Saturday, 10 November: SA v Scotland (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
• 16/17 November: England v Springboks (Twickenham, London – date TBC)

*A report from French media outlet Midi Olympique has suggested France will face the Springboks on 2 November.

Bok flyhalves, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok. Image: X /@sport_wordsmith