The Stormers never won a single Super Rugby title.
Not even Bobby Skinstad’s legendary “Men in Black” team of 1999. In fact, they did not even get past the semifinals.
The best result the Stormers achieved was runners-up in the historic 2010 Soweto showpiece.
For many years my steadfast belief was the Stormers simply never had a flyhalf that could act as the puppet master. Someone who could pull the strings like he was in charge of the show.
It certainly created heated debate in the office with our former sports editor Ian Smit championing Peter Grant’s capabilities against my assertions. And this from a man that held Michael du Plessis in reverence.
I always pointed to the Crusaders’ championship winning teams who boasted Andrew Mehrtens and the great “DC” – Daniel Carter for the uninformed – at first five-eighth in the red and black jumper.
Equally, the Brumbies had the mercurial Stephen Larkham, while even the Bulls’ Morne Steyn was a colossal figure at No 10 for the Loftus Versfeld side.
But for me, there was none better than Auckland Blues’ maverick Carlos Spencer. His magical play not only drove the Blues to successive Super Rugby titles but defined his team’s attacking brand of rugby.
The Blues were an absolute joy to watch when “King Carlos” was in his pomp.
Spencer was the ultimate entertainer, but do not mistake him for a Harlem Globetrotter.
His theatrics, whether with ball in hand or off the side of his boot, was always in an attempt to get his team to score more points and ultimately win the game. There were few more competitive individuals out on the paddock.
The fans have spoken!
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is having that main character moment – your Vodacom Man of the Match! 🔥
@Vodacom #URC | #KidsRound pic.twitter.com/2SXFXNMKhW— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) April 23, 2025
And that brings me to the current Stormers No 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The Stormers have been blessed in recent years with Manie Libbok. An exceptional footballer that was instrumental in the Stormers winning the first-ever United Rugby Championship (URC) title.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is a generational talent though. It’s also no coincidence that he hails from Diocesan College, aka Bishops, who are renowned for encouraging their rugby players to express their all-round skills, hence the tradition of no numbers on the back of their jerseys to define set positions.
The 23-year-old’s performance last Saturday at DHL Stadium against Connacht was simply mind-blowing.
It was not just the hat-trick of tries within the first 30 minutes of the game. He was outrageous with ball in hand, finding space, and kicking with both feet.
Like Spencer, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s extreme peripheral vision allows him to make the players on the outside of him look better. That is a unique gift.
The first inclination would be to wrap up the youngster in cotton wool and preserve him for the international season, especially after he already missed the Springboks’ European tour last year due to injury.
But that would be near suicidal. This kid wants to “jol”.
So, let him get his dancing shoes out and go out there and entertain. It’s the same way another famous Bishops’ old boy Herschelle Gibbs, who was an equally special pivot before he chose cricket, played his sport.
And that’s when he was its best.
There are certain sportspeople in the world who are born for the big stage. Whereas others freeze up, they shine when the lights are the brightest.
These are the special ones that do not just play sports. They are the gamechangers. Think Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Shane Warne.
“SFM” is that good. It’s time to get on the party bus and enjoy the ride.
