Springbok Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Breaks Down During National Anthem in Baltimore
- Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was visibly moved to tears during the South African national anthem in Baltimore
- Jesse Clegg, son of the late Johnny Clegg, performed Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika ahead of the fourth Greatest Rivalry test match
- Jesse described the opportunity to sing for the Springboks as an 'amazing honour' and an 'epic experience'
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was visibly overcome with emotion during the South African national anthem ahead of the fourth and final Greatest Rivalry test match on 12 September 2026. The 25-year-old broke down in tears as the camera caught him during the performance at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Singing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika on the night was Jesse Clegg, the 38-year-old son of the late, beloved South African musician Johnny Clegg. Jesse's powerful rendition had both fans in the stands and players on the field struggling to keep their composure, with Sacha among those most visibly affected.
Watch the emotional anthem moment in Baltimore below.
Jesse Clegg pays tribute to his father's legacy
Before taking the mic inside the stadium, Jesse performed a concert for supporters outside the venue. The crowd was overwhelmingly South African, and the atmosphere was electric. During the outdoor set, he performed his late father's iconic 1987 song Spirit of the Great Heart, originally recorded with Johnny Clegg's band Savuka. That same year, Savuka released Asimbonanga, a moving tribute to Nelson Mandela, who was still imprisoned on Robben Island at the time.
Johnny Clegg, a humanitarian and fierce anti-Apartheid activist, passed away in 2019 after battling pancreatic cancer. Jesse's choice of songs was a quiet but meaningful tribute to a man who used music as a force for change.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
An honour to sing for the Boks
Speaking before his performance, Jesse said it was an "amazing honour" and an "epic experience" to have been invited to represent the Springboks in this way. His words resonated deeply with South Africans watching from home and those who made the trip to Baltimore to cheer on the team.
For Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the moment was clearly more than just a pre-match routine. His tears spoke to what pulling on the green and gold jersey means, and reminded South Africans just how much pride runs through the Springbok camp.
Source: Briefly News
