Springbok star Feinberg-Mngomezulu looking forward to Rugby Championship

The real test for the Springboks starts this coming weekend in Johannesburg when they take on Australia in the first round of the 2025 Rugby Championship.

After strong performances with mixed teams in the mid-year Tests against Italy and Georgia, the world champions will head into the Southern Hemisphere competition with proper confidence. However, they will face a battle-hardened Wallabies side who ended their series against the British and Irish Lions on a high by winning the third Test.

Yes, they lost the series to the touring team 2-1, but in each and every match they were competitive, and the Boks would’ve taken notice of how hungry the Aussies were.

Looking at South Africa’s hold over the Wallabies at home, though, and the players at head coach Rassie Erasmus’s disposal for the double Tests, it’s difficult to see the defending Rugby Championship winners losing out to their visitors.

Ellis Park (5.10 pm kick-off) will host the opening encounter and taking the Australians to altitude after a bruising battle with the Lions could just work in the favour of the Springboks.

In the first four matches of the season, the Boks weren’t really tested by the Barbarians, Italians and Georgians, but they will get that now from the Wallabies. After the home Tests, they’ll face the All Blacks twice in New Zealand, before wrapping up the competition with matches against Argentina.

Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says they’ve had a productive camp over the last two weeks as they prepare to do battle with the Aussies.

“The camp was another eye-opener, and it will set us straight as to what we want to achieve in this Rugby Championship,” the talented rookie said.

“We worked so hard, and it just shows our coaching staff is motivated to see us do big things. We reciprocate that energy by working hard, and it becomes an enjoyable process at the end of the day.

“Last year we tasted what (success in) the Rugby Championship tasted like and that taste is still lingering. We want to taste it again. Pre-seasons like this is how to get that.”

Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be one of three flyhalves the Springboks can count on. Erasmus ensured throughout the season-opening matches that all of them received adequate game time to have them ready for the Rugby Championship. Now, it’s about who the coach will select to start against the Aussies to give South Africa the best chance of starting the tournament with a victory.

“We just want to win as many games as possible. The more you win, the better your chances are of collecting trophies. The Springboks just want to win as many games as possible this year.”

The Boks will reassemble in Johannesburg on Sunday ahead of the first match-week. Erasmus is expected to announce his team on Tuesday.