Heavy lies the crown: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu undeterred by social media trolls

Haters gonna hate, as the modern idiom goes, and many of them live online. Keyboard warriors hide behind screens, spewing filth with Dorito-stained fingers.

And the higher people rise, the harsher the criticism. The meteoric rise of Feinberg-Mngomezulu has made him a prime target for online abuse. Bursting onto the local scene in 2021, it took him a few short seasons before being capped by the Boks in 2024.

Since, the playmaker has risen to the occasion in the green and gold, breaking record after record with his impressive point hauls. Nine tries in 20 matches - combined with a plethora of kicks - have already earned him 176 international points.

But being a classy playmaker is a double-edged sword. When form inevitably dips, as it has for the young Stormers star in the last few United Rugby Championship matches, the critics find their voice. While the 24-year-old admits he is not immune, he's doing his best to take it in his stride.

"I see it all [the comments] because I'm on social media, whether I like it or not, it's in my face," said the 2025 SA Players' Player of the Year.

"But I don't think it's something I should feel sorry for myself about.

"I watch a lot of football, and I can't imagine what the Real Madrid and Barcelona players get every weekend.

"It's just important to understand that it's at a very small level, and as long as my coaches and teammates are happy with my efforts, especially then, I'll just let the rest take care of itself.

"I put a lot of hours into my game, whether I'm here at the High Performance Centre or not.

"Little comments are never going to deter me from where I believe I'm going. And just understanding how people get it [online abuse] in other sports is also important; we get it on a small scale compared to the footballers.

"I mustn't put my tail between my legs and cry about it; it's just part of the job."

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has also come out in defence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whom he holds in very high regard.

"We have a duty of care towards Sacha," he said.

"I wouldn't like to be Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu now. But he's going to be a generational great Springbok for South Africa. We are going to look back and think what a player, how privileged we were to have our own Dan Carter.

"To say this guy is shit and shouldn't be part of the Stormers, people who know nothing about our process feel free to assassinate someone's character."