Stormers' Dobson spoilt for choice as he puts his backline puzzle together

After a long season without some of their best backs, the Stormers suddenly have an embarrassment of Springbok riches. But what combination will John Dobson pick to play against the Scarlets this weekend?

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, and Warrick Gelant have been sorely missed for long periods in a season that has left the former champions struggling for survival in the United Rugby Championship. They are currently 12th and face a challenging fortnight away from home against the Scarlets and Ulster.

All three are versatile — particularly Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu — and it will be interesting to see how the coach combines their talents while also accommodating other key backline players such as Dan du Plessis.

With Manie Libbok still injured and unlikely to play again this season, Dobson has to use Jurie Matthee at fly-half. While he is not in the same class as Willemse or Feinberg-Mngomezulu, he is a good wet-weather player and performed well in the storm-affected game in Pretoria, where the Stormers shocked the Bulls.

Even if it is raining in Llanelli, you would expect Feinberg-Mngomezulu to slot straight back in at fly-half rather than centre. He has been impressive at inside centre in some games, but that role is not required this week, as it is arguably Willemse’s best position. Willemse and Du Plessis have rarely been seen together as a midfield partnership, but given the way the Stormers — and Willemse and Du Plessis — play, the numbers on their backs are largely irrelevant.

If this is the chosen midfield for the Scarlets clash, it would mean Wandisile Simelane dropping to the bench. Defensively, he is the weakest of the midfield candidates, and the Stormers have had issues shoring up the outside channels. Additionally, the Scarlets favour attacking out wide and have scored some impressive tries as a result.

Selecting the wings is a more straightforward decision, and Dobson is unlikely to look beyond Suleiman Hartzenberg and Leolin Zas.

Returning to the fly-half position, this game presents a great opportunity for Feinberg-Mngomezulu to begin his long journey back to the Springboks. The 23-year-old has been injury-prone, and it feels like a long time since he lit up the field against the Wallabies in Brisbane and the All Blacks at Ellis Park during the 2024 Rugby Championship.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has eight Test caps, with his last appearance coming in September last year in Cape Town. If he can string together a series of strong performances at 10 for the Stormers, with the experienced Willemse alongside him, it will go a long way towards securing his Springbok comeback.

Possible Stormers backline: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer.