Feinberg-Mngomezulu shortlisted among Europe’s elite

Stormers fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is among 10 nominees for the prestigious 2026 Investec Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old playmaker is the only South African to make the shortlist following a scintillating pool stage in the Champions Cup.

The recognition caps off a remarkable run for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has emerged as the heartbeat of the Stormers' and Springbok attack.

Known for his game intelligence and an uncanny ability to find space in congested defences, his tactical kicking and vision was instrumental in guiding the Cape Town-based side to the knockout rounds of Champions Cup.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu IS a triple threat on the awards circuit, as he also features as a nominee for both the SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

While Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inclusion was widely expected, the shortlist has sparked debate in South African rugby circles due to the omission of his teammate, Paul de Villiers.

The 23-year-old flanker has been in sublime form, picking up four Man of the Match awards during the season and hailed as the Stormers’ defensive MVP.

Despite his breakdown dominance and improved disciplinary record, the judges opted for the flair of the backline stars.

The competition for the European crown is fierce.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu joins a star-studded list that includes tournament leading try-scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux), Scotland’s "Maverick" Finn Russell (Bath), and the French fullback Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), who currently leads the competition with 53 points.

Public voting for the award is now open on the EPCR website and will remain so until the end of the quarter-finals in mid-April.

A final shortlist of five players will then be selected ahead of the final in Bilbao.

For now, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s focus shifts to the Round of 16, where the Stormers face a gruelling away trip to RC Toulon in early April.