Nick Mallett: Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces test of maturity in London

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett believes that Springbok sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will face a real test of his maturity on Saturday when he attempts to back up his explosive performance against Argentina in Durban.

The Boks and the Pumas square up at Twickenham at 3pm in the final match of the intriguing 2025 Rugby Championship. A South African victory should be enough to secure back-to-back Championship titles, regardless of what happens earlier in the day when New Zealand face Australia in Perth.

Last week, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus hinted strongly that he wanted to give Handré Pollard a run at fly-half for the London clash, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s outstanding display in Durban forced a rethink.

“It’s a real statement from Rassie,” Mallett said on the

Talking Boks podcast. “He often surprises with selections, but sticking with virtually the same team that has played so well over the last couple of weeks is a real vote of confidence.

“You’d normally worry about complacency after putting 60 past a team, but this squad and coaching group are desperate to keep improving. We still haven’t had an 80-minute performance where we dominate playing our very best rugby.”

On Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Mallett cautioned against expecting another record-breaking display.

“Having Sacha at 10 again is great for him. But it’s very hard to replicate what he did last Saturday — so few errors, so many good decisions, and those individual tries – that’s unusual.

“This will test his maturity. If the space isn’t for him, can he see it for someone else and use it for the team? That’s what I’ll be watching.”

Mallett added that South Africa’s pack remains the foundation for the young fly-half’s success.

“If our forwards keep delivering front-foot ball – Ox anchoring the scrum, Jasper Wiese’s carries, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi in the loose, and dominance at set-piece – then it’s up to nine and ten to make the right calls based on the opposition’s line speed and where the space is.

“With attack coach Tony Brown guiding him, Sacha’s in good hands. And remember: this is not a one-man team.”

The former Bok coach also welcomed Erasmus’s decision to persist with a 5-3 bench split, which offers more backline options.

“I like the balance. If there are backline issues, we can replace backs with backs rather than relying on a forward to cover. It also allows you to make a change at 10 so Manie Libbok can get minutes, and if needed, Sacha can move to full-back. The forwards coming off the bench are making a massive impact too. It’s just a really good, happy squad fighting hard to win games.”

As for Argentina, Mallett expects a far more pragmatic approach following their heavy 67-30 defeat in Durban.

“If I were coaching Argentina, the last thing I’d want is another 50 points put on us. I’d batten down the hatches: play direct, win penalties, control territory, and lean into the aerial game. Force South Africa to play from deep. That’s how you control the contest against the Boks.

“Twickenham won’t feel like a hostile away ground for Argentina,” Mallett added. “There will be a huge South African crowd, and the Boks are comfortable there. It’s a game you’d really expect us to win.

“Prediction? The Boks will win by 20.”