The Stormers will look to flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for some magic moments in their URC quarter-final against Cardiff on Saturday afternoon.
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The Stormers’ build-up to their United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final against Cardiff has certainly kept things interesting this week, with plenty happening behind the scenes ahead of Saturday’s showdown at DHL Stadium.
From the training-ground collision involving Leolin Zas and Damian Willemse to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu battling illness, there has been no shortage of talking points in the Cape camp. No 8 Evan Roos and flanker BJ Dixon have also been monitored during the week, adding further intrigue as the Stormers fine-tuned preparations for the knockout clash.
Still, despite the bumps along the way, there is a sense that things have settled nicely at just the right time. Training has gone well, spirits remain high, and the Stormers have named a highly experienced side to take on the Welsh outfit at DHL Stadium (3.30pm kick-off).
Willemse and Zas are fit, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu will partner scrumhalf Imad Khan in steering the home side’s attack. Captain Ruhan Nel returns at outside centre and combines with Dan du Plessis for the 30th time. On Saturday, they will join De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert as the Stormers’ most-capped midfield combination. Seabelo Senatla also makes a welcome return on the wing following injury, while Ruan Ackermann is back on the bench.
“It’s a massive relief to have everyone fit. On Wednesday, we looked at potentially being minus five players. Given where we were, it’s been a massive relief,” director of rugby John Dobson said on Friday.
“We missed Ruhan enormously on the tour. To have him back and his bosom friend Seabelo, it is a massive boost for this team. We more or less expect the same thing from Cardiff from the previous clash in Wales.”
Captain Nel said Wednesdays are always tough training sessions, where things can boil over when players shoulder-check each other a bit too heavily in defensive situations (opening the door for tackles). But, he added, it also raises the level of competition.
“It raises the quality of training, but unfortunately, those things happen. Luckily, it was not too serious.
“The nice thing about this game is that we faced Cardiff two weeks ago, and Dobbo referred to it being the ‘easier’ quarter-final, but that is in terms of analysis. By no means are we saying they are an easy team. You don’t have to spend as many hours on them as you may have to on a team you last faced in round three of the tournament.
“We’ve seen the shortcomings from that game in Wales (Cardiff won 22-16) and had honest conversations afterwards. The energy in the team is really good. We’re playing a home quarter-final and, if you are not excited to play in front of your fans, then you probably should not be on the field. It’s bound to be a good game.”
Cardiff, meanwhile, have added to the excitement by welcoming back a few key senior players of their own, which should make for a highly competitive contest in Cape Town. Knockout rugby always carries extra tension and, with both teams strengthened, there is plenty to look forward to.
The Stormers will also draw confidence from a crowd of more than 30,000 passionate supporters expected to turn up.
With the grass green and the stage set for a big occasion, the Cape side will be eager to put their best foot forward and keep their URC title hopes alive.
Stormers XV
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.
Cardiff XV
15 Cam Winnett, 14 Jacob Beetham, 13 Ben Thomas, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Taine Basham, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 James Botham, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Rhys Barratt.
Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 George Nott, 20 Alun Lawrence, 21 Evan Lloyd, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Tom Bowen.