Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu prepares to kick to the posts. (Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP)
The Springboks’ preparation for a tough 13-Test season experienced a major setback with the news that Stormer flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu may have suffered a serious ankle injury.
The 24-year-old player walked off the field on Saturday, shortly after scoring a try in the Stormers’ convincing 44 – 21 victory over Cardiff in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship (URC) in Cape Town.
What was initially considered a precautionary measure, however, later started to cause more concern after Stormer head coach John Dobson spoke to the media on Sunday. According to reports in South African media, Feinberg-Mngomezulu later left the stadium on crutches, raising questions about the severity of the injury and possible time on the sidelines.
Coach’s serious fears
Dobson did not mince words about the seriousness of the situation and confirmed that the brilliant flyhalf was facing major challenges.
“It looks pretty serious. He’s obviously going for scans but it looks like a serious ankle injury. It’s extremely unlikely he will travel to Dublin with the squad for Saturday’s semi-final against the title holders Leinster.”
This news means that the Stormers will have to travel to Ireland without one of their biggest trump cards, while the Springboks’ head coach, Rassie Erasmus, will now have to thoroughly reconsider his options.
If Feinberg-Mngomezulu is ruled out for an extended period, the experienced Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok are the most likely candidates to take over the coveted number 10 jersey for South Africa.
Injury monster bites Goats hard
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s injury is just the latest in a series of injury problems that are already putting pressure on the Springboks, even before the season officially starts on July 4 against England in Johannesburg. Before that test, South Africa will play against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June in a non-test match, where the depth of the group will already be put to the test.
The positions of lock and scrum-half in particular are areas that are currently causing great concern for the national coaching team, which under the leadership of Erasmus secured World Cup glory for the country in 2019 and 2023. The crisis in the second row is particularly acute after Leinster lock RG Snyman was ruled out for the entire 2026 season due to injury. In addition, his close partner Lood de Jager is not expected back on the field until August, which seriously hurts the Boks’ strength in the line-outs.
Scrum-half crisis and Faf’s possible return
At the scrum-half position, things look fragile at first. The news that Morné van den Berg will be on the sidelines for up to six months after surgery on a torn biceps put further pressure on the team’s scrum-half options. With other scrum-halfs such as Cobus Reinach, Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams all currently recovering from injuries, rumors are circulating in rugby circles that veteran Faf de Klerk may be recalled to fill the gap.
Fully loaded international program awaits
The Springboks cannot afford to dwell on these setbacks for long, as a challenging international program awaits them. South Africa will host England, Scotland and Wales in the first Nations Championship in July. This is followed by a quick getaway to Argentina for a one-off Test on August 8.
From August 22, it is the traditional battle when the arch-rivals South Africa and New Zealand face each other in a historic series of four Tests. Johannesburg will host two of these clashes, while one match will be decided in Cape Town. The last, unique test of this series will take place in the USA, ushering in a new era for the sport.
After another one-off test match in Australia, the Springboks resume their Nations Championship campaign in November with away matches against Italy, France and Ireland, before the grueling season reaches its climax in London.
With such a demanding program, Rassie Erasmus will have to use all his ingenuity – and his available players – to protect the Springboks’ status as the world’s best.