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Cobus Reinach downplays pressure talk on Bok with 'rugby in his blood'

By Josh Raisey
Cobus Reinach/ PA

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus scoffed at the idea of dropping rookie flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench this weekend for the visit from the All Blacks, emphasising that they have been building towards this moment for him all year.

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The six-cap Springbok may only be 22 years of age, but he has overcome every challenge thrown his way so far since making his debut against Wales in June, so the only logical step for Erasmus was to see how he fares against their greatest rivals.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s selection at flyhalf for round three of the Rugby Championship may have surprised many who expected the Boks to revert to a more experienced side. Springboks legend Percy Montgomery was one who was fairly convinced that Handre Pollard would start at Ellis Park when joining RugbyPass TV’s most recent episode of the Boks OfficeBut Erasmus has never been afraid to make big calls.

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Percy Montgomery on the greatest players he played with and against | RPTV

Springbok legend Percy Montgomery chats about some of the All Black greats in the latest episode of Boks Office, available now on RugbyPass TV.

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Percy Montgomery on the greatest players he played with and against | RPTV

Springbok legend Percy Montgomery chats about some of the All Black greats in the latest episode of Boks Office, available now on RugbyPass TV.

WATCH NOW

This match is perhaps as big as Test rugby gets outside of the World Cup, and is indeed a repeat of the World Cup final last October. But Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s halfback partner Cobus Reinach has backed his teammate to rise to the occasion, saying he has “rugby in his blood”.

The Montpellier No9 knows a “big team effort” will be required to win in Johannesburg, but has downplayed any suggestion that there is pressure on his young teammate.

Fixture
Rugby Championship
South Africa
31 - 27
Full-time
New Zealand
All Stats and Data

“Sacha has rugby in his blood,” he said. “I saw a thank you speech he did when he was 13 years-old, and that’s the type of confidence he has on the field.

“When he goes out there, he just wants to express himself, and as a team we all back him.

“He may be young, but he is not under pressure. We all have a job to do, and we back each other to do it, so if someone makes a mistake, we help each other, try to fix it, and move onto the next job.”

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027

I think cull is the wrong word.


I think Rassie and the senior players will be pretty open and honest with each other about their prospects for another World Cup campaign. And, ironically, I don’t think Rassie is thinking as far ahead as 2027 in terms of who is going to go.


There are likely going to be injuries too where players one would assume will be at 2027 won’t feature. Think Marx and Am and 2023.


I think the priority is really having as many players as possible in contention for a spot on the 33 by the time squad selection comes around.


I made this point a while ago, but having double World Cup winners in the setup over the next 3 years is going to be golden for the boks. It’s like having a coach in each position.


Razor was criticized for having too many coaches in his team. Rassie has more than 15 player coaches at his disposal.


I think Siya is being teed up to play the same role Duane did at the 2023 RWC. Invitation to the coaching box this coming weekend included.


I think many of the old guard are playing a role in the team that certainly does not guarantee them a 2027 place but doesn’t hurt their chances at being selected - but they will have to be the no.1 or no. 2 best in that position to be selected at that time. There won’t be any dead weight - whether old or young.


In my mind the strategy would be quite simple. Take everyone who will be over 32 by 2027 and pencil their names in right now in slot number three for their relative position. We know what they can do and they know what they need to do to be in contention for 2027.


Then ask yourself who do we have to take position no.1 and no. 2. Tried and tested or not. Find them and trial them over the next 3 years. Their job is to keep the old guys out. And the old guys job is to help them do just that.


That’s what Rassie has to do and has started well trying 48 players and 11 debutants in year one as the article mentioned (and winning).


I reckon there’ll be another 5-10 new players tried by the end of this year, particularly in November.


2024 ✅

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