Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu answered his critics with a composed performance in the Springboks' 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town, according to former head coach Nick Mallett. The young fly-half had initially been dropped to the bench for the second Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test, with Handré Pollard selected to start at ten. However, Pollard suffered a calf injury in training ahead of the match and was forced to withdraw, handing Feinberg-Mngomezulu a reprieve after an underwhelming display in the opening Test at Ellis Park.
Mallett, speaking on SuperSport's Final Whistle Presents Side Entry, said Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a shift akin to the veteran he replaced. "He picked a team with Pollard in it that looked as though it was the correct one, and then Pollard had to withdraw on Thursday, and Sacha came back in," Mallett said. "What was very positive was that Sacha played like Pollard. His defence was very good, but he didn't try to do anything himself."
The 22-year-old's performance marked a significant improvement from the Johannesburg Test, where he and halfback partner Grant Williams came under heavy scrutiny. Mallett's praise suggests Feinberg-Mngomezulu stuck to a more structured game plan in Cape Town, mirroring the approach Pollard would likely have employed.