All Blacks legend Dan Carter has revealed that Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu previously reached out to him seeking guidance to refine his game.
Speaking on the For the Love of Rugby SA podcast alongside Springbok prop Stephen Kitshoff, the iconic dual World Cup winner joined a segment aimed at constructing the ultimate number 10. The discussion naturally turned to the current fly-half options operating for both New Zealand and South Africa following a high-stakes series opener.
The revelation follows the first Test at Ellis Park, where the All Blacks secured a dominant 33-16 victory over South Africa. As the series moves to Cape Town for the second Test, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to shuffle his playmakers, dropping Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench while the experienced Handré Pollard reclaims the starting number 10 jersey.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu entered the international series short on match sharpness after an injury-interrupted campaign with the Stormers. Having only returned to test action against Argentina immediately prior to this tour, his limited game time left him visibly rusty during a challenging opening performance against New Zealand.
Why Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Struggled in the First Test
After establishing himself as one of world rugby’s most dynamic emerging talents in 2025, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s selection for the opening Test of rugby’s greatest rivalry came as no surprise. Erasmus has consistently displayed massive faith in the young playmaker when fit.
However, the opening Test did not go to plan. Questions arose post-match regarding why wing Cheslin Kolbe assumed primary goal-kicking duties instead of the starting fly-half. In the post-match press conference, Erasmus addressed the media directly, revealing that Feinberg-Mngomezulu was carrying an undisclosed injury, explaining the tactical shift off the tee and his curtailed influence on the match.
