Rassie on why he chose Feinberg-Mngomezulu ahead of Libbok for Irish Test

The versatility of rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu earned him the nod ahead of Manie Libbok in the Springbok squad for the Incoming Test Series match against Ireland at Loftus on Saturday. 

Erasmus has set tongues wagging by completely dropping Libbok, who was the Springbok’s first-choice kicker at the start of last year's World Cup and wore the No. 10 jersey in the quarter and semifinals in France. 

Coach Rassie Erasmus named Feinberg-Mngomezulu on the bench in his experienced match-day squad, which features 20 Rugby World Cup winners — the entire starting XV and five players on the replacements bench. 

Feinberg-Mngomezulu, together with Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp and Stormers lock Salmaan Moerat, are the only three players in the match-day squad who did not participate in the World Cup in France. 

Announcing the squad, Erasmus explained that he went with Feinberg-Mngomezulu because he can play a few more positions at the back than Libbok. 

“Sacha certainly brings something to the party where we don’t have to make a lot of changes when with a 6-2, and that’s where Manie Libbok missed out. If 12 goes down, Sacha can go straight there because he has played at that position for the Stormers. 

“If a 15 goes down, he can go straight there, and if a 10 goes down he can do the same.”

He said Libbok not making the 26 is purely because of the 6-2 split on the bench. 

“He (Libbok) is not so comfortable at position 12, meaning that Handré Pollard would go to 12 and he goes to 10 or fullback, and then we will have to move Cheslin back to fullback. It just makes more sense because Sacha can cover those three positions.” 

Erasmus has gone with a 6-2 split on the bench, but he hinted that there may be a late change if a few players don’t respond well to treatment over the coming day or two leading up to the Test match. 

“There are one or two niggles and it is possible that we might go 7-1, but we will give it until Thursday because I don't want to elaborate too much on it at this point. But having said that, Sacha definitely brings something to the team.” 

The Springboks are without Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager and Damian Willemse, but Erasmus welcomes back captain Siya Kolisi, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handré Pollard, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman and Steenekamp. 

Eben Etzebeth said he is expecting a tough battle from the Irish, who have dominated the Springboks in their last few meetings. 

“They are a world-class team, they are good at their structures and they know what they want out of the game. Obviously, the last few games have not gone our way, but we are excited for the challenge of the Test match in South Africa. 

“They haven’t played in South Africa for the last eight years or so, so it is going to be a nice challenge to face them in front of our home fans. I am sure there are going to be a few thousand Irish fans in the stands and that is going to make it a good Test match.” 

Etzebeth added Erasmus and his think-tank have plans of how they must win their second match of the season. 

“I guess that’s why coaches get paid so much, they always have great plans to bring to the game. I am not expecting the same things from the last time we met, but they have a DNA and so do we. 

“There is always that 80 percent that will stay the same in terms of organisation and structure and room for changes. When you play Test rugby you must expect anything from the opponents,” said Etzebeth, who will run out for his 121st Test cap on Saturday to move closer to Bryan Habana’s 124.