Tag: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

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Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

“The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby

Pause is Power

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Pause is Power

Powerade reframes sports performance culture with new Springboks Edition and brand ambassador Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

In a world where relentless hustle has become synonymous with high performance, Powerade® is ushering in a paradigm shift, redefining what it means to succeed through the lens of balance. Through its global Pause is Power platform and new rugby campaign in South Africa, the brand celebrates moments of rest and recalibration as essential elements on the path to greatness as it introduces the Powerade® Springboks Edition and brand ambassador, rugby rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

A New Era in Sports Culture

In sport, very few moments are more charged than the pause before a game-winning kick. It’s in this instant of quiet, a breath held by millions, that composure and readiness converge into greatness. Powerade® spotlights this pivotal moment in its rugby campaign and reframes these pause moments as defining acts of strength, spotlighting the preparation and recovery rituals that build champions. 

“In the high-stakes world of rugby, pause is not just preparation —it’s power.” said Franscoe Bouwer, Senior Director of Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola South Africa. “This campaign challenges the norm that pushing harder is the only path to success and empowers everyday and professional athletes, to pause, reset and rise stronger.”

The campaign reaffirms the Pause is Power platform and the Athletes’ Code, a global contractual amendment that allows all Powerade® sponsored athletes to pause their commitments to prioritize their mental health and recovery, without fear of losing their sponsorship. This groundbreaking initiative reinforces the brand’s mission to nurture the full journey of every athlete, physical, mental, and emotional.

The new brand ambassador

Rising star and the SA Rugby Young Player of the Year, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu embodies the values of dedication and resilience, making him the ideal Powerade® ambassador to inspire future generations. His involvement begins with a visual campaign supporting the brand’s “Pause is Power” initiative, aiming to inspire a new wave of athletes to take a break and prioritize their mental health and physical well-being. “Partnering with Powerade® has been a dream of mine since I was a kid and launching this partnership with a campaign that aligns so closely with my journey as an athlete is incredibly exciting.” said Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

“For me, it’s about more than just hydration, this campaign reflects my belief that rest isn’t a weakness but a vital part of success. I’m proud to share that Pause is Power message with the world, because respecting the pause is crucial both on and off the field.” he said.

Powerade® Springboks Edition, the Fuel for Champions

To celebrate South Africa’s rugby icons, the brand launched the Powerade® Springboks Edition. Athletes and fans can unleash their inner champion and fuel their performance with a refreshing beverage that embodies the spirit of South Africa’s homegrown world champs. Whether you’re hitting the gym, tackling your toughest training session, or cheering from the stands, you can replenish your body and mind with bold hydration. “Our sponsorship of SA Rugby is about creating meaningful experiences and lasting memories for fans and athletes alike,” said Bouwer.

With the Springboks Edition and new brand ambassador, Powerade® enters a new era in sports culture, inspiring South Africans to embrace balance, resilience, and recovery as core elements of their success story. Through the campaign the brand aims to connect with consumers and rugby fans across platforms and communities, embedding the principles of pause and balance into the DNA of performance culture. 

The Powerade® Springboks Edition is available at retailers nationwide.