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Feinberg-Mngomezulu one of seven Boks rested for short Argentina tour

Feinberg-Mngomezulu one of seven Boks rested for short Argentina tour
Springbok Manie Libbok passes the ball during the Rugby Championship match against Australia’s Wallabies at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia on 17 August 2024. (Photo: Paul Kane / Getty Images)
Craig Ray
By Craig Ray
10 Sep 2024
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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has chosen a 28-man squad for a one-week tour to Argentina to face the Pumas.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss out on touring Argentina as one of seven players given time off by coach Rassie Erasmus for the Rugby Championship away trip to Santiago, Argentina.

Although Feinberg-Mngomezulu is simply listed as “rested”, he did appear in the last quarter of Saturday’s 18-12 win over the All Blacks with heavy strapping on his right leg.

A source indicated that the 22-year rising star limped off the training ground last Monday, five days before the All Blacks clash in Cape Town.

The Boks unusually delayed the naming of their team for that match by 48 hours, before naming Handré Pollard to start. It does add some intrigue to the plot.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu eventually featured from the bench and looked to be struggling with his kicking, although he moved well in general play, making one surging line break.

Manie Libbok and Pollard travel as the specialist flyhalves in the touring party.

 Seven out


Springbok team for Argentina Springbok captain Siya Kolisi scores a try against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on 7 September 2024. (Photo: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images)



Springbok team for Argentina Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth (left) has played every Test in 2024 barring the match against Portugal. (Photo: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images)



The seven players from the current squad who will not travel to Argentina are Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward), Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende (centre), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), and Willie le Roux (fullback).

“The players we decided to rest have really done their bit this season and their bodies deserve a break,” Erasmus said.

“We thought the best for them would be to enjoy a break and spend time with their families before joining us in Nelspruit (where the return Test against Argentina will take place).

“This is a short tour, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all the positions within this group.”

While there can be no qualms that the likes of De Allende, Mbonambi, Du Toit and Kolbe could do without the travel and game in Argentina and deserve some rest, the same could be argued for several players set to tour.

Lock Eben Etzebeth, centre Jesse Kriel and prop Ox Nche have played every Test this season, barring the clash against Portugal when all of the “A” squad were rested, while captain Siya Kolisi will also travel despite needing nose surgery.

Naturally, Erasmus wants some continuity for what should be a difficult match against a Pumas team brimming with confidence after thrashing Australia 67-27 in Sante Fe last weekend.

“We know how gruelling it’s going to be over there and that it will take a massive effort to beat Argentina at home,” Erasmus said.

“But as we’ve shown all season, we have full faith in all the players in our wider group and we believe that we have such a wealth of squad depth that any young player can step in and fill the boots of the more experienced players.

“Although it will be tough, we want to see what these players can do in such a pressure cooker of a game, and we are going there with the goal of winning the competition. This squad boasts a good mix of youth and experience.”

Versatility


Springbok team for Argentina Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok is likely to feature against Argentina in Santiago. (Photo: Paul Kane / Getty Images)



The 28-man travelling group only has two specialist hookers in Malcolm Marx and Johan Grobbelaar, and two specialist centres in Kriel and Lukhanyo Am.

But Jan-Hendrik Wessels, normally a prop, and flank Marco van Staden can both play hooker. Similarly, Canan Moodie is comfortable at centre and fullback and Pollard can also slot into centre.

Underlining the Boks’ depth and versatility, Erasmus still has plenty of options even without the seven players omitted and a slew of injuries to the likes of RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse. 

Lock Salmaan Moerat is likely to start the Test in Santiago with Etzebeth probably set for a role off the bench. Moerat could even captain if Erasmus decides to keep Kolisi on the bench and goes with a 6-2 split between backs and forwards.

The scrumhalf selection will be interesting. Grant Williams has also featured in all but the Portugal Test this year. Jaden Hendrikse, who produced a strong cameo from the bench against the All Blacks in Cape Town, needs some game time while Cobus Reinach offers experience.

Libbok could start with Pollard playing at inside centre and Am at outside with Kriel offering the option of wing and centre from the bench.

Kurt-Lee Arendse is back after recovering from concussion, as is Makazole Mapimpi, who was on paternity leave.

Aphelele Fassi will almost certainly start at fullback after his excellent outing against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.

Erasmus said: “Some players, such as Johan Grobbelaar, Manie Libbok, Jaden Hendrikse, and Canan Moodie – to name a few – will benefit immensely from more game time at this level, while other players such as Aphelele Fassi and Ben-Jason Dixon, for example, grabbed their chances with both hands this season and we are excited to see them back in action.

“We have been open about our policy to try to give as many players in our wider squad as possible a chance to play against the top teams in the world.

“We believe playing against Argentina in Santiago, where we are expecting a massive encounter in front of a hostile crowd, will serve as a great test for this group of players.” DM

Springbok squad for Argentina tour:


Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortjé (Bulls).

Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks).

Utility back: Canan Moodie (Bulls).

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