Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been included in Rassie Erasmus' 43-man Springbok squad for the next phase of the international season, marking a significant return for the flyhalf alongside captain Siya Kolisi. The pair are among ten players recalled as the world champions prepare for a demanding stretch that includes a fixture in Buenos Aires and the opening test of the Greatest Rivalry tour against the All Blacks.
The squad will reconvene on Sunday following a week off granted to players after the 43-0 victory over Wales. Erasmus has confirmed a split-camp strategy, with 15 players remaining in South Africa while a separate group heads to Argentina for the one-off test. That core group of 15 is widely expected to feature prominently in the first test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on 22 August, with Erasmus indicating after the Wales match that all 15 would be involved in some capacity.
Depth to manage four-test stretch
The split approach reflects the unique demands of the Greatest Rivalry tour, which features four tests across consecutive weekends, culminating in a fixture in Baltimore. The Boks deployed 51 players last season and a similar number the campaign before, a rotation policy that has significantly deepened their resources despite a current heavy injury list. When pressed on his strongest XV after the Wales match, Erasmus sidestepped the question, emphasising instead that management wants competition within the squad to remain as close as possible.
Certain selections appear secure. Malcolm Marx, the World Player of the Year, is considered a lock-in, as is the midfield pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, with the latter set to earn his 100th cap in Johannesburg. Pieter-Steph du Toit is another near-certainty at flanker.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's recall adds intrigue to the flyhalf debate, particularly with the All Blacks series looming. His inclusion in the 43-man group suggests he remains firmly in Erasmus' plans, though whether he features in the Argentina test or is held back for the New Zealand opener will clarify his immediate standing. The next fortnight will provide the clearest indication yet of the Springboks' first-choice combinations ahead of the Greatest Rivalry tour.