Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. (Photo by Ziyaad Douglas Gallo Images)
- Stormers prodigy Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he has come back from injury a “better person and player.”
- The versatile back is in line to lead his Stormers back in their Champions Cup clash with the London Irish on Sunday.
- The 20-year-old said his breakthrough in 2022 was “special” after winning the URC weeks after making his Stormers debut.
Stormers prodigy Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says he has returned from a tibia injury sustained during SA A’s European tour as “a better person and player”.
The versatile full-back is in line to make his comeback for the Stormers in their Champions Cup clash with the London Irish on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
He had replaced Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi, who injured his ankle before Feinberg-Mngomezulu was subsequently injured as well.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu said he was “grateful to be in the room” within the team led by Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick. SA A, however, lost both midweek outings to Munster and Bristol.
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“The good thing about that tour was that I definitely left a better person and a better rugby player,” said the 20-year-old.
“I was so appreciative of just ‘being in the room,’ listening to the conversations and seeing the high level of professionalism within that group of players.
“I learned a lot and I’m grateful that the injury came later in the tour than before because what I experienced and learned in the first half is priceless.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a breakthrough in 2022, in which he appeared in the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs and captained the Baby Boks.
The Stormers won the URC, with the then 19-year-old doing fine supporting roles in Damian Willemse’s place in midfield. Feinberg-Mngomezulu singled out his monstrous 63-minute debut against Edinburgh in the URC quarter-final as particularly memorable.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu also received his first Springbok call-up for the end-of-year tour, but did not make his international debut.
“2022 was indeed a special year and I learned a lot from the year,” Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.
“He taught me things I’ll put up with for the rest of my life. I have to say the biggest learning for me was in the build-up to the quarter-finals (against Edinburgh) and then on game day. ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity’ is what I took away from that time period.
“Learning to listen before speaking and learning to prepare before doing is something I’ve held on to ever since.
“I’ve learned that preparation and a willingness to learn is what really gets you through your big moments and helps you seize opportunities with both hands, if and when they come.”
