Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's absence from the opening phase of the Springboks' Nations Championship campaign has left Rassie Erasmus with a significant selection puzzle at flyhalf. The Stormers playmaker, who impressed during the 2025 season, is unavailable for the fixtures against England, Scotland and Wales, forcing the head coach to lean heavily on Handré Pollard and consider alternative options in the pivot role.
Erasmus unveiled a 46-man squad on Saturday night following the Springboks' 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in Gqeberha. The selection includes six uncapped players, among them flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who featured for South Africa 'A' in their 40-0 win over Zimbabwe earlier the same day. Pollard, a double World Cup winner, remains the established first-choice, but the depth chart behind him has thinned with Feinberg-Mngomezulu sidelined.
Rotation strategy in focus
The squad's composition—28 forwards and 18 backs—has prompted speculation that Erasmus will deploy two distinct match-day 23s across the three-Test window. The head coach has historically rotated personnel during July internationals, balancing immediate results with long-term development. A settled side could face England and Scotland, with a more experimental outfit taking the field against Wales.
Erasmus acknowledged the quality of the uncapped contingent, which also includes flanker Paul de Villiers, locks Riley Norton and Ruben van Heerden, prop Carlu Sadie and winger Jaco Williams. The coach noted that all six had demonstrated the required standards during the Barbarians and SA 'A' fixtures. Twelve Bulls players joined the squad following their United Rugby Championship final defeat to Leinster, while Thomas du Toit returned after completing his season with Bath.
Forward planning for All Blacks series
The extended squad size reflects the demands of the inaugural Greatest Rivalry series, which will see the Springboks face New Zealand in four consecutive Tests later in the year. Erasmus will require a deep pool of frontline players to survive that unprecedented schedule, and the July window offers a final opportunity to assess fringe candidates before the Rugby Championship intensifies.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's unavailability complicates that calculus. The 22-year-old's versatility—he can cover fullback and inside centre—had made him a valuable asset in the squad's tactical armoury. Without him, Erasmus must decide whether to fast-track Moyo or rely on Damian Willemse and other utility backs to provide flyhalf cover. The opening Test against England will clarify which path the coaching staff have chosen.