The DHL Stormers have been boosted by the return of the Springbok backline duo of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse for Saturday’s big Vodacom URC derby against the Vodacom Bulls at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Bok flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the last URC match against the Lions because of a groin injury but has recovered in time to wear the No 10 jersey in what should be a rare head to head duel with another Bok flyhalf in Handre Pollard. Willemse, known to his teammates as Gazza, has not played for a while as he has shaken off the effects of a hamstring injury but was always set to return in this game.
He will take up the inside centre position, with Jonathan Roche, who injured his hand against the Lions, dropping out. With Cobus Reinach wearing the No 9 jersey, the Stormers are pretty much lining up as the national team did in those positions when they scored their record win over the All Blacks in Wellington last September.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was impressive when the Stormers beat La Rochelle in Gqeberha in his last appearance for them in the Investec Champions Cup in mid-December, comes in for Jurie Matthee, who moves to the bench. Feinberg-Mngomezulu will form an exciting partnership in the key decision making 10/12 axis against a Bulls team that are also expected to have several Boks back in action in the Cape Town game.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has made a few unforced changes that could be viewed as interesting - for instance it is not Paul de Villiers, who has won the man of the match award in three successive games, who is wearing the No 6 jersey, but Ruan Ackermann, who just happens to be the son of the Bulls coach, Johan.
That does not mean De Villiers won’t be playing a role in this game - he is part of a strong bench and will no doubt have a key role to play later in the north/south derby. BJ Dixon, who was on the bench against the Lions, is back in the starting back row for this game along with Evan Roos.
JD Schickerling played as a reserve against the Lions but rotates with Ruben van Heerden for this game, while veteran strongman Ali Vermaak is back at loosehead in place of Vernon Matongo. Ntuthuko Mchunu continues as a member of the Stormers’ bomb squad, a role he filled well against the Lions.
At the back the only change apart from the return of the two Boks is Suleiman Hartzenberg coming back on the right wing, with Dylan Maart sitting this game out.
DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, Ruan Ackermann, JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Neethling Fouché, André-Hugo Venter, Ali Vermaak. Replacements: Lukhanyo Vokozela, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Paul de Villiers, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee.