Springbok and DHL Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s star continues to rise, with his latest achievement being his inclusion among the 10 nominees for the 2026 Investec Player of the Year award.
Selected by a panel of rugby legends and broadcast experts, the standout players from the pool stage of the Investec Champions Cup are expected to play a pivotal role as the competition heads into the round of 16 in early April.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who also features among the nominees for the SA Rugby Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, is the only South African on the shortlist - which shouldn’t be a surprise given the poor general performances by local teams in the pool stages of the competition.
What was also no surprise was that Bordeaux Bègles and Glasgow Warriors had several players among the nominees, with form being rewarded after those teams both picked up a maximum of 20 log points from their four pool games.
Bordeaux Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the tournament’s leading try-scorer (six), earns a spot alongside flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert. For Glasgow, No 8 Jack Dempsey is recognised for his exceptional attacking and defensive contributions, leading the competition for carries and ranking third for tackles.
Bath are also well represented, with Scotland and British and Irish Lions flyhalf Finn Russell being joined by No 8 Alfie Barbeary.
2026 Investec Player of the Year nominees
Alfie Barbeary (Bath)
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux Bègles)
Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors)
Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux Bègles)
Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
Finn Russell (Bath)
Tom Willis (Saracens)