SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has given the strongest possible hint that Stormers utility back Sacha Mngomezulu is in the national selectors' sights after being asked about rumours of Eddie Jones’ sudden interest in the SA under-20 captain.
Mngomezulu is apparently qualified for England and South Africa but Erasmus was asked about his future and said the youngster had a “very good chance” of being selected for the SA A team for the upcoming tour of England and Ireland, which will run concurrently with the Springbok tour of Europe.
Erasmus did say, however, that Mngomezulu would have to want to “fight” to represent the country of his birth if he wanted a future in the Bok setup.
“Sacha has a very good chance of being selected for the SA A squad, but I need to say that we will never try and convince someone who wants to play for another country to stay. It must be his own decision that he wants to play for the Springboks,” Erasmus said.
“He must also be so proud to play for the Springboks and willing to fight his way to the top. If he qualifies for both, and rather wants to represent England I would be surprised, first of all, but then it is tough.
“So in that regard, I don’t care what Eddie says about it, it is what Sacha says.”
Mngomezulu had a great season with the SA under-20s and showed his worth by kicking seven out of seven for the Stormers against Zebre and scoring a try as well.