Springbok legend Naas Botha believes Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s explosive speed is the key reason he has surged to the front of the Boks’ flyhalf pecking order.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has enjoyed a rapid rise since his debut against Wales at Twickenham last year, already banking 20 Test caps and finishing 2025 as the Boks’ preferred No 10, ahead of Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok.

The Stormers star shared duties with Pollard and Libbok through the mid-year Tests and early in the Rugby Championship, but by the business end of the season he had become Rassie Erasmus’ go-to option, starting four of South Africa’s five November internationals.

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Speaking on the DSPN podcast, Botha said Erasmus doesn’t operate with a strict pecking order but rather, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s form has forced the coach’s hand.

“I don’t think Rassie’s got a favourite. I think what happened is Sacha, the way he’s playing at the moment and been playing, he sort of made himself the number one choice. That’s as simple as that,” said the former Bok flyhalf.

And for Botha, the key differentiator is raw, game-breaking speed.

“The thing that puts him apart from the other two is he’s extremely quick. And that’s what you need, because the thing is, you give him half a gap and he’s gone.”

Botha said all three flyhalves bring different strengths to the Springboks’ attack.

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Pollard, he believes, remains the ideal man for tight, tactical contests.

“Handré is a different kind of player. He’s more the direct guy… If the opposition is going to keep you at bay and it’s going to be like the old England – play for penalties and kick penalties the whole day – then Handré will be the guy. Why? Because he’s proved that you give him a penalty wherever, any World Cup final… he just never misses.”

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