John Dobson admits concern about negative press surrounding Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Feinberg-Mngomezulu is seen as one of the most talented rugby players South Africa has ever produced and he cemented that opinion with a series of standout performances for the Springboks in 2025.

He also began this season well with the Stormers but recent weeks have seen a drop in form, which has been coupled with the franchise losing its last three games in a row to local rivals.

"The noise is a concern. He is a youngster and there is so much emotion in rugby," Dobson said.

"There are a lot of people commenting on him and fuelling the noise, and he would have to be an extremely tough human being for it not to affect him. He is a youngster with a massive future and will be a great for South African rugby."

Springbok attack coach Tony Brown came out in support of the player, saying he is confident it is only a matter of time before Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets back to his best.

However he also suggested that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is trying to do too much on his own and not relying on his Stormers teammates enough.

"We listen to what a guy like Tony says, but it is a very different environment at his club team, the Stormers, where he has been the captain and is desperate for us to win," Dobson said.

"With the national team, there are huge resources on and off the field and you have a massive pack of forwards who can bail you out and you have guys with hundreds of international caps around you.

"Tony is dead right in that Sacha is maybe trying to do too much, but we know where it is coming from. Sacha is just desperate for the Stormers to win.

"We would rather have that have somebody who is disinvested, or trying to look after his body. We just have to coach better to make sure he takes those right options.

"Sacha has always been fully committed as a player. We discovered that in the very first game he played for us which was a Toyota Challenge match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein a few years ago. He made 22 tackles in that game which was a phenomenal amount for a player in his position.

"I just cannot understand how there can possibly be vitriol towards a guy who has such X factor and so much promise for the Stormers and the Springboks.

"You don't become the world's best game-managing fly-half in your first couple of years. It will come but he has to serve the hours. He will definitely get there."