SFM thrilled to be back after missing July Tests

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was so hungry to be part of the Springboks that he travelled to Johannesburg to watch the team face England during his stint on the sidelines due to injury, and he cannot wait to get back on the field when the Boks line up against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

The star flyhalf, who will earn his 20th Test cap when he takes the field next to experienced scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, is one of a number of stalwarts returning from injury. This list includes Bok captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and rising star Morne van den Berg.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu admitted that while his time on the sidelines was frustrating, it gave him valuable time to embrace what it is to represent the Springboks and motivated him to work hard to return to the field.

“Not being able to help my team was frustrating and the Springbok equation was even worse,” he said.

“But I used the time to look at the game from a more technical aspect and develop in the areas that I probably didn't have time to work on before. Obviously, it was disastrous when it happened and it wasn't enjoyable but I made the most of the time off.

“I went to watch the game against England in Johannesburg from the stands because I thought it would be a good experience to remember what it's like to play for the Springboks from a distance.”

The exciting playmaker was humble about his return and said his objective this weekend was to do the best he could to contribute to the team: “The one thing no one can say is that the Springbok team doesn't function, whoever is in the picture.

“I’m just coming in trying to facilitate that and keep progressing our game, while taking control of the departments that matter in my position. I’m just trying to build again. I don't feel too far behind because I worked hard during my rehabilitation, so I'm just trying to build on what I can to help the squad.”

On playing next to Reinach, who has been in fine form for the team this season, he said: “I’ll never forget the first time we played the All Blacks. I wanted to take a shot at goal from distance and he was the one who pointed at the posts for me.

“That will forever stick out and really defines our relationship. He takes me under his wing but we’re also good buddies. Sharing the field with him at his ripe old age is brilliant. He's fitter than a lot of the guys, he's fast and he uses his experience to help guys like me.”

Feinberg-Mngomezulu reiterated the message from the team this week about the tough challenge Argentina would pose on Saturday: “We won by two points In the last game against them, and it wasn't my greatest game. There are a couple of things to fix from that game, and that was a year ago, so it’s been a long time.

“They really put up a fight in that last Rugby Championship match, and they tested us in many areas of the game. In fact, they got the better of me once or twice, so I'm not coming in with a big head. I'm very humble and just ready to do my job.”

The match, which will be hosted at Estadio José Amalfitani in the Argentinean capital, kicks off at 9.10pm (SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Meanwhile, Tomás Albornoz has been suspended for four matches after admitting misconduct arising from interactions with match officials following Argentina’s Nations Championship match against England on 18 July.

In determining misconduct under Regulation 18, the disciplinary committee noted that the Argentina flyhalf accepted the misconduct allegations. In particular, he accepted that his conduct, taken as a whole, was intimidatory.

The committee accepted that contact with referee Angus Gardner, although limited in nature, occurred while disputing a match official's decision and formed part of that overall course of intimidatory conduct. The committee also noted that Albornoz approached the referee on two separate occasions and had to be restrained by teammates.

The committee further noted that, while Albornoz accepted that his conduct amounted to intimidation of a match official, he did not accept that his actions were abusive, insulting, offensive or threatening. That distinction was accepted by both World Rugby and the committee.

In determining sanction, the committee accepted that the contact with the referee, while limited, occurred in the context of disputing a match official’s decision and formed part of an overall course of intimidatory conduct. The committee considered that aspect of the misconduct comparable to the low-end entry point for contact with a match official under Appendix 1 to Regulation 17, which carries a six-match suspension.

Taking into account Albornoz’s early acceptance of the charge, his undertakings to issue public and private written apologies, and his previously clear disciplinary record, the committee accepted that a four-match suspension was appropriate. Albornoz is therefore suspended for the following matches:

8 August: Argentina v South Africa

29 August: Argentina v Australia

5 September: Argentina v Australia

12 September: Toulon v Stade Rochelais

Springbok starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach; 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (capt); 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth; 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Morne van den Ber, 23 Handre Pollard.