Nick Feinberg, the father of Springbok Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, has claimed that criticism of his son – particularly being labelled “windgat” – stems from deep-rooted racism amongst rugby fans.
The sports broadcaster shared his views episode of the Learner Husband podcast this week.
SACHA’S DAD CLAPS BACK AT CRITICS
During the episode, Nick Feinberg discussed his blended family and the challenges of raising multicultural children.
He also touched on his recent criticism of his son, whose scuffle against an opponent made headlines.
Nick said: “There have been some negative comments from some middle-aged white guys who used to love the 80s, saying Sasha is ‘windgat’. He is the most humble guy you will ever meet.
“At training, he is carrying the water and picking the balls up. He is always going to talk to fans.
He is confident on the field, and that’s always mistaken as being arrogant”.
Nick claimed that the criticism was rooted in racism.
He continued: “That’s got a lot to do with some people in this country who are not happy to see a person of colour who is very confident and good at what they do”.
WHERE DOES ‘WINDGAT’ LABEL COME FROM?
In September, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was publicly criticised by former Springbok, John Allan.
In an appearance on the Be A Sport podcast, the retired player questioned if the 23-year-old was ready to take on Argentina’s Los Pumas in the Springboks starting line-up in Durban’s Kings Park Stadium.
He said: “I am just surprised that Rassie (Erasmus) has not started [Handre] Pollard. That’s my boy. He’s played Sacha, who I think personally is a bit windgat. And might cost us the game.”
Allan was later forced to eat his words after Sacha became the Springboks’ highest try scorer in a single test match, earning the team 37 points.
Images via TikTok
A few weeks later, another rugby critic also had scathing words to say about Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
In a clip posted by sports broadcaster Omnia Audio Africa, Brett Burns called out Sacha for getting into a scuffle during the Stormers game against Scarlets.
The 23-year-old received a yellow card for fighting Welsh opponent Taine Plumtree, who is the son of Sharks coach John Plumtree.
The critic said: “[Stormers boss] John Dobson doesn’t have a choice but to pick Sacha. You need him in your franchise. All [Springboks coach] Rassie [Erasmus] has to do – he doesn’t even have to have a conversation – he just doesn’t have to pick him in the end-of-year tour…..Rassie just makes a statement that ‘we don’t have time for that in our team, laaitie. Calm down, and fix yourself.”
The critic continued: “I don’t think anybody needs to have a chat, because the country is chatting. Every single social media platform…it is all about Sacha and his bad attitude. It’s going to catch up to him very quickly.”
Despite the criticism, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was selected for the end-of-year squad, delivering phenomenal performances in each game.
