‘Cheating’: Sacha’s dad on countries naturalising foreign players

Sports commentator Nick Feinberg – the father of Springbok Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – has taken a dig at countries who naturalise foreign players to represent them.

Although he did not mention any names, several South African-born players – who are naturalised citizens in European countries – have opted to play for their adoptive homes.

Interestingly, Sacha qualified to play for England based on eligibility from his father, who was born in the UK. He turned down the chance, opting to play for the Boks and local club, the Stormers, instead.

SPRINGBOK’S DAD MAKES INTERESTING OBSERVATION

On his X platform, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s dad, Nick Feinberg, joined in on a debate about Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus being snubbed by the World Rugby’s Coach of the Year award.

The award was won by French Sevens coach Jérôme Daret.

When a French tweep accused South Africans of being “conspiratorial” over their criticism, Nick responded via an X post: “Naturalising players to give you a chance is quite endearing as well.

“In that cheating kind of way”.

Nick added a screenshot of the breakdown of foreign-born players representing various countries in the latest series.

At the top of the list were countries like Scotland, Japan, Italy, Australia, England, Ireland and Wales. 

Meanwhile, South Africa and Argentina had a 0% rate. 

WHY DID SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU CHOSE THE SPRINGBOKS

Speaking to Omni Sports in September, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s father, Nick Feinberg, revealed that his son turned down a chance to represent England.

Nick – the son of the late Apartheid struggle hero Barry Feinberg – was born in the UK while the family was in exile. The family returned to South Africa in the 90s, following the democratic elections, and Sacha and his brother Nathan were born in the years that followed.

He said of his son’s overseas opportunities: “Sacha has never had a desire to play for England. It’s not who he is or what he’s wanted. He’s always wanted the green and gold.

Nick revealed that a young Sacha – then at the famous rugby school Bishop’s College – was approached by scouts for Leicester, Saracens, and  North Hampton, who offered him deals to live and play abroad.

Nick added: “Sacha is a happy Capetonian. His hope was to play for the Stormers. The ultimate goal was always to stay here.”

Sacha joined the Stormers in 2022 at the age of 20. His contract has been extended to 2027.

Like Sacha, fellow Springbok newbie Cameron Hanekom also turned down a chance to play abroad – in Wales – via his grandparent’s eligibility.

IS IT FAIR TO EXPECT SOUTH AFRICAN-BORN PLAYERS TO ONLY REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY OF BIRTH?

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