Llandovery College alum becomes Springbok fly-half in Cardiff
From a Welsh college exchange student to South Africa’s fly-half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stars against Wales in Cardiff, highlighting a remarkable rise from school rugby to global stardom.
In the heart of west Wales, Llandovery College is known for turning promising players into global rugby stars. The latest rising talent is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whose journey from a Cape Town exchange student to South Africa’s fly-half is drawing attention ahead of the Cardiff clash with Wales.
Event details and coverage
The autumn international between Wales and South Africa takes place on Saturday, 29 November at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a 15:10 GMT kickoff. Fans can listen on INLIBER Sounds, INLIBER Radio Wales, and INLIBER Radio Cymru, with live updates on the INLIBER Sport website and app.
From exchange student to Springbok fly-half
Now 23, Feinberg-Mngomezulu spent time at Llandovery College as part of an exchange from his Cape Town school. He returned from a broken bone and quickly showed a level of talent that placed him among South Africa’s key fly-halves to wear the number 10 shirt.
Llandovery has produced rugby greats such as George North and Alun Wyn Jones, underscoring its strong rugby tradition.
Harri O’Connor, who went on to play for Scarlets and Wales Under-20s, was part of the 2018-19 college side. He recalls Sacha recovering swiftly from injury and arriving with a natural confidence and flair that set him apart.
Archie Hughes, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s half-back partner at Llandovery, describes him as energetic and gifted, with a bold playing style and a generous personality off the field.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s family history also stands out. His grandfather, Barry Feinberg, was a poet and a leading anti-apartheid figure who spent years in exile in England, where Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s father, Nick, grew up. In 2022, reports linked England head coach Eddie Jones to persuading him to consider representing England, but Sacha chose his country of birth, South Africa.
Rise on the field
Two years after his time at Llandovery, he made his Springbok debut against Wales in Cardiff and has since become a regular member of the squad. In the 2025 Rugby Championship, he starred with a record 37-point performance in South Africa’s win over Argentina in Durban.
Harri O’Connor says Feinberg-Mngomezulu has enormous potential and will only improve, especially with the Springbok pack ahead of him, which makes his role even more formidable for opponents.
Expert view
A rugby analyst notes that Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s composure, pace, and decision-making stand out, and that South Africa’s powerful forwards will help him develop further as a fly-half.
Summary
The journey from a Welsh college to the Springboks demonstrates how school rugby and exchange programs can launch global careers. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s rise highlights opportunity, perseverance, and talent shaping rugby’s brightest stars, with more achievements likely on the horizon.
Key insight: Global rugby talent can emerge from small schools through exchange programs, rising to the world stage with a national team. BBC Sport