Should Rassie Pick Sacha or Manie?

There is no shortage of quality at flyhalf for the Springboks, but if Rassie Erasmus has to choose between Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok for the big games, my choice is becoming increasingly clear: Sacha should start.

This is not an argument that Manie Libbok is a poor player. Quite the opposite. Manie is an exceptionally talented attacking flyhalf, capable of producing passes and kicks that can unlock even the best defences. He has also developed his goal-kicking considerably after some well-documented struggles earlier in his international career. In 2025, for example, he kicked six from seven against the All Blacks and spoke about the hard work he had put into improving that part of his game.

But when I look at the complete package, I believe Sacha is the better rugby player — and, more importantly, the player I would trust to start a massive Test match.

Sacha has that big-match temperament

There is something about Sacha that suggests he wants responsibility when the pressure is at its greatest.

We saw it spectacularly in Durban against Argentina in 2025. Sacha scored a remarkable 37 points, including a hat-trick of tries, as the Springboks won 67-30. That was not simply a case of a flyhalf doing his job in a comfortable victory. He repeatedly took the game by the scruff of the neck and created things himself. His 37 points broke the Springboks' previous record for points in a Test match.

That is what I mean when I say Sacha can create a moment of brilliance out of nothing.

When a game becomes tight, when the Springboks need something special, I want the player who can see an opportunity that perhaps nobody else can see. Sacha has shown that ability.

He is still young and undoubtedly has plenty to learn, but there is a fearlessness to his game that I find extremely exciting.

The goal-kicking argument has changed

One of the strongest arguments against Sacha in the past was his goal-kicking.

That criticism was fair. Against Georgia in 2025, he had a difficult day from the tee, finishing one from five, although he did score a try and Rassie was quick to point out that goal-kicking was only one part of evaluating a flyhalf.

But if we are comparing the two players, Sacha's kicking record has also been very good at times. During the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship season, his reported success rate was 85.7%, compared with 72.6% for Libbok.

For me, that makes the argument even stronger.

I don't believe Sacha needs to be the perfect goal-kicker to justify his selection. I simply believe he is good enough in that department while offering more in other areas.

I also prefer Sacha defensively

This is another area where I give Sacha the edge.

A Test flyhalf cannot simply be judged on what he does when his team has the ball. Against the All Blacks, Argentina and the other top sides, your No. 10 is going to be tested relentlessly when defending.

I believe Sacha is the more dependable defender. He appears more comfortable putting his body on the line, making his tackles and staying connected to the defensive system.

And then there is the issue of mistakes.

Manie can sometimes play on the edge. That is part of what makes him such an exciting attacking player, but it can also lead to moments where he tries to force something that isn't really there.

Sacha, in my view, gives you a better balance between ambition and control.

That doesn't mean he never makes mistakes. Of course he does. He is still developing. But I would rather have Sacha making decisions at flyhalf when the match is on a knife edge.

But what about Manie's record against New Zealand?

This is probably the strongest argument for Libbok.

Manie has produced some excellent performances against the All Blacks, and it would be foolish to ignore that. He has shown that he can operate successfully against New Zealand's defence and has the attacking skills to cause them serious problems.

There is also a broader argument for Manie because Rassie himself has repeatedly emphasised that his flyhalves have different strengths. Erasmus said in 2025 that he did not regard any of his three flyhalves — Handré Pollard, Sacha and Manie — as an outright first choice, with selection dependent on the opposition, game plan and bench configuration.

That is exactly why this debate is so interesting.

Manie has a very different skill set from Sacha, and there will certainly be matches where his particular strengths are more valuable.

But if I am picking one starting flyhalf for the biggest match, I don't want to select a player simply because he has enjoyed previous success against that particular opponent.

I want to pick the player I believe is better.

And for me, that player is Sacha.