Mallett: Sacha can do everything

Nick Mallett has identified the key reason why Rassie Erasmus has picked Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at No 10 for the first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.

The 24-year-old made his first appearance in two months against Argentina in Buenos Aires a fortnight ago, having recovered from an ankle injury, and has been preferred to Manie Libbok, who will provide flyhalf cover from the bench.

Double World Cup winner Handré Pollard misses out again.

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Feinberg-Mngomezulu also started at flyhalf in the Boks’ record 43-10 victory against the All Blacks in Wellington last year, but he was replaced by Libbok after just 18 minutes due to injury.

Writing in his News24 column, Mallett backed Erasmus’ selection call.

“Starting flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the ability to do everything,” the former Bok coach wrote.

“He can play a kicking game in the wet, he has a very long boot, he can play the contestable game, the kicking game into the corner if it’s required, he can chip and catch it himself over the opposition backline, and he’s got the pace to beat a player individually.”

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But Mallett believes it is the Stormers playmaker’s defensive qualities that may have been particularly important to Erasmus’ selection.

“And of course, defensively, he’s the best of the three of them. He’s a very good defender and this last point is probably the most important one.

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“For this game, I think Rassie wants a 10 who gets off the line, makes hits, puts the opposition under a lot of pressure when they’ve got the ball, and works incredibly hard in the back field as well.

“On pure defensive physicality, Sacha is the strongest of the three flyhalves.”

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