'We're not near where we need to be': Sacha keeps Boks grounded after big win over Italy

South Africa routed Italy 66-7, with the 24-year-old producing a commanding individual performance, and while he called the victory a confidence boost, he also said it was a necessary reality check for the world champions who are still some distance from the standards they are chasing.

"I think it's a very special feeling to get to a change room after a game and not be 100% happy with the performance we put out there, although the scoreline looked good," Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.

"It's a good confidence booster for the boys, but also a great reality check that we know we're not near where we need to be."

The Springboks ran in nine tries, six of them in a dominant first half that left them 45-0 ahead at the break.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu's early solo try, finished acrobatically in the corner after a clever dummy, set the tone, while the pack's driving maul proved relentless.

The second half, however, was more fragmented, and the flyhalf acknowledged the gaps that remain.

"I think we did very well in the beginning to stick to our structures. It was far from a perfect performance from us," he said.

"We got a lot to work on for the next three big fixtures, but to tick a box at a very passionate and packed stadium was great for the boys."

With back-to-back fixtures offering accumulated preparation time, Feinberg-Mngomezulu said the win as a foundation rather than a finished product.

South Africa next face France on Friday, followed Ireland before the Nations Championship finals weekend at the end of November.

"The nice thing with these back-to-back fixtures is your preparation from week to week that all accumulates by the time you need it most," he said.

"So next week we'll be going in with two weeks of preparation, which is going to help us. I think we laid a good foundation." 

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