Stormers without Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Nel as key Lions return for URC local derby

The Stormers were dealt a major double blow ahead of their first United Rugby Championship (URC) derby of the season, losing influential backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruhan Nel to injury before Saturday’s clash against the Lions in Cape Town.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been sidelined with a groin injury, while Nel is nursing a calf strain, leaving director of rugby John Dobson without two key playmakers for the showdown at DHL Stadium (3.30pm kick-off).

Despite the setbacks, Dobson has named a powerful and experienced matchday squad as the Stormers chase a ninth consecutive win this season.

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché headlines the selection and is set to earn his 100th cap for the Stormers, becoming only the fourth prop in the union’s history to reach the milestone. Jurie Matthee steps in at flyhalf in place of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while Wandisile Simelane moves into the starting XV to cover for Nel.

The front row sees Fouché joined by fellow Springbok André-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo, while Ruben van Heerden returns from injury to partner captain Salmaan Moerat in the engine room. The loose trio features a single change, with Marcel Theunissen coming into the starting lineup alongside Evan Roos and Paul de Villiers.

Dobson has opted for a forward-heavy replacements bench, with Springboks Ben-Jason Dixon and Ntuthuko Mchunu among the six forwards primed to make an impact off the bench. Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who is set to make his return from injury in the second half, provide backline cover.

Speaking ahead of the match, Dobson said his side is eager to return to home soil.

“We have not played at DHL Stadium since early October and it is a big South African derby, so it should be a great day out for everyone,” Dobson said.

“We have been disrupted by some injury concerns this week, but we have confidence that every player selected will rise to the occasion.”

Dobson also paid tribute to Fouché’s achievement, placing the prop in elite company.

“The only other props to have reached 100 caps for the Stormers are Brok Harris, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff,” he said. “Neethling is close with all three of them and fully deserves his status alongside them as one of the most dedicated and passionate players to have pulled on the jersey.”

The Lions, meanwhile, have included their big guns for the duel but will be without injured centre Henco van Wyk.

Eighthman Francke Horne will captain the side, while the halfback pairing of Morné van den Berg and flyhalf Chris Smith have a big task on their hands as they look to steer the Lions’ attack against a stingy defensive system.

Erich Cronje will line up at outside centre alongside Bronson Mills. Up front, hooker PJ Botha returns to the starting team, and the front-row battle between him and props SJ Kotze and Asenathi Ntlabakanye against their Stormers counterparts will be another key contest on Saturday.

Stormers XV

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.

Lions XV

15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8, Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements

16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Richard Kriel.