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Stormers detail plan for using new prodigy flyhalf and Baby Bok captain

(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

South Africa Under-20 captain Sacha Mngomezulu’s future is at flyhalf.

However, for the foreseeable future, he will feature at inside centre at the Stormers.

It is in line with a development process used to great success by New Zealand – playing a rookie next to a seasoned player.

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Mngomezulu, 20, was one of the key figures in the Stormers’ win over Italian outfit Zebre at the weekend.

The Stormers, along with the Lions, flew the South African flag in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend.

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They grabbed a third successive victory to remain unbeaten this season, as they beat Zebre 37-20 in northern Italy.

And the message was clear: ‘Mngomezulu is integral to the future of the Stormers’

Mngomezulu, who is a natural flyhalf, was named at inside centre for the trip to Parma and was showered with praise for a mature performance.

“He was absolutely outstanding,” Stormers coach John Dobson said.

“He is so competitive and his work rate is very special,” Dobson added.

The additional responsibility of goal-kicking did not phase him, even though his first few attempts at goal were off target.

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“Our plan with him is probably to let him settle at No.12 and then longer-term he could be one of the better flyhalves in this country,” the Stormers coach said.

“We are very, very excited about all these young players that we’ve got – whether it’s Sacha, Suleiman [Hartzenberg], Imad Khan, Conor Evans and Paul de Villiers.

“We are excited about the future.”

Dobson said that Mngomezulu is facing a head workload in a very taxing season – with the Stormers starting their first European Cup campaign in December.

“Sacha was outstanding,” Dobson said about the win in Parma, adding: “He doesn’t have to start every game in what will probably be a breakout season.

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“Manie [Libbok] is definitely our No.1 flyhalf.

“Damian [Willemse] will play at No.12 and No.15, depending on how Clayton [Blommetjies] goes and our injury situation at centre.

“It’s not impossible to see Manie at No.10, Sacha at No.12 and Damian at fullback, if Clayton’s not around.”

The Stormers coach said the need for more squad depth, with the additional load of also playing in the European Cup, means there is an obvious need for utility players.

“Sacha has been exposed to this level, he has confidence and is very good.

“We won’t be running out with our best combination every week.

“We will have Blomme [Clayton Blommetjies] coming back next week and Damian [Willemse] probably going home.

“We have to build capacity and he is a massive step forward in that regard.

“The short answer is that he [Mngomezulu] will pretty much be involved in our matchday 23 every match, unless something goes wrong.”

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1 Comment
N
NJ 755 days ago

So calm and cool, go you boytjie!

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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