In a spectacle that lit up Kings Park Stadium, young Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered a performance for the ages, shattering records and doubters alike as South Africa demolished Argentina 67-30 in the Rugby Championship on Saturday (27 September) night. The 22-year-old’s haul of 37 points – a hat-trick of tries, eight conversions, and two penalties – not only eclipsed Percy Montgomery’s long-standing individual Test record but also served as a resounding retort to those questioning his readiness for the green and gold.

@supersportofficial 37 points from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ✨ Relive his incredible performance with Lonwabo Mtimka and Kaya Malotana in isiXhosa commentary 🎙️🇿🇦 Three tries, one assist, eight conversions and two penalties 🥶 #springboks #ssrugby #therugbychampionship #sportsontiktok #springboksrugby ♬ original sound – SuperSportTV

Pre-match whispers had been unkind. Critics, including some pundits and fans on social media, fretted over Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inexperience at flyhalf, especially with established stars like Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok vying for the No. 10 jersey. His selection over the more seasoned Pollard raised eyebrows, with detractors labeling him a “gamble” amid South Africa’s uneven campaign.

“Too raw for this level,” one X post griped, echoing broader concerns about the Springboks’ transition from their World Cup-winning core. Yet, as the final whistle blew, those voices were drowned out by roars of approval. Feinberg-Mngomezulu didn’t just play; he orchestrated a symphony of destruction, proving his mettle in a match that swung wildly before the Boks asserted dominance.

The game kicked off with Argentina’s Pumas pouncing on early Springbok errors. A charged-down kick and a loose pass gifted Los Pumas two quick tries, putting South Africa 14-3 down inside 15 minutes. The crowd, a sea of green under Durban’s balmy skies, held its breath as the defending champions wobbled. Enter Feinberg-Mngomezulu. With ice in his veins, he slotted a penalty to stem the tide, then ignited the comeback with a grubber kick that fullback Aphelele Fassi latched onto for a try. But it was the flyhalf’s individual brilliance that truly turned the screw.

His first try, midway through the first half, was a thing of audacious beauty: a pinpoint up-and-under that Argentina’s Santiago Carreras spilled, followed by a dummy that bamboozled two defenders and a sidestep into the corner. The conversion bisected the posts with surgical precision. By halftime, South Africa led 29-23, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot and boot had already tallied 19 points.

The second half was his playground. He danced through gaps, beating 13 defenders and gaining 134 meters – “ludicrous numbers,” as Planet Rugby termed it in their post-match analysis. Two more tries followed: one a searing 40-meter break after a flat pass to wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, the other a chip-and-chase masterpiece that left Pumas’ backs grasping at shadows.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s influence extended beyond the scoreboard. His distribution was metronomic, setting up tries for Fassi, Arendse, and hooker Malcolm Marx with passes that hummed like rifle shots. When he shifted to fullback late on – a tactical tweak by coach Rassie Erasmus – he continued tormenting Argentina, assisting Pieter-Steph du Toit’s late score. The final tally: 10 tries to four, with the Boks leaping to the top of the Rugby Championship table, five points clear of New Zealand.

@supersportofficial 𝐇𝐀𝐓-𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎 🏉🏉🏉 Sacha is cooking some serious magic at Kings Park 🪄🪄 #SportsonTikTok #SSRugby #Rugby #TikTokSA #SouthAfrica ♬ original sound – SuperSportTV

Erasmus, never one to mince words, beamed post-match. “Sacha showed why he’s such a special talent,” he said, hailing the Sharks man’s “incredible things” on the night. Captain Siya Kolisi echoed the sentiment: “He carried us on his back when we needed it most.” Pundits were equally effusive. “The future is now, and his name is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu,” wrote RugbyPass columnist Daniel Gallan, comparing the display to Dan Carter’s legendary outings. On X, fans erupted: “SFM terrorizing Argentina 😭🤌🏿,” one posted, while another declared, “What a man!!! 🥳🥳🥳.”

This wasn’t mere redemption; it was revelation. Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the “golden boy” blending Jewish and Zulu heritage, has long been tipped as rugby’s next big thing. His U20 exploits and Stormers cameos hinted at potential, but Saturday’s demolition – against a Pumas side that had pushed New Zealand to the brink – confirmed it. With 37 points matching the Boks’ winning margin, he embodied the depth that makes South Africa untouchable.

As the Rugby Championship hurtles toward its finale, questions linger: Can Pollard reclaim his throne? Will Libbok’s magic mesh with this firepower? For now, though, the critics are quiet. Feinberg-Mngomezulu has spoken – in tries, kicks, and unyielding flair. The Springboks march on, anointed by their anointed one. In a sport of giants, this ‘windgat’ 22-year-old just became a colossus.

@beasport17

Springboks vs Argentina Preview – Johan Allan, Warren Britz & Shawn van Rensburg

♬ original sound – Be A Sport