Stormers lose two key backs as Lions circle ahead of Cape Town URC derby

The Stormers are confident that the replacements for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruhan Nel will stand their ground in the team’s first local United Rugby Championship (URC) derby against the Lions on Saturday in Cape Town.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu picked up a groin injury, but the talented flyhalf is expected to be fit in time for the Stormers’ first clash of 2026 against the Bulls in a couple of weeks. Nel’s injury is more serious, however, and the centre is likely to spend the entire month of January on the sidelines.

Both players are instrumental to the Cape side’s backline.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has taken huge strides this season with commanding performances at flyhalf in the couple of games he started. His composure, kicking game and decision-making have been central to the Stormers’ attacking structure. Nel, meanwhile, is widely regarded as the defensive glue in the midfield, organising the line and shutting down opposition attacks with relentless efficiency.

Their absence will undoubtedly make Saturday’s encounter at the DHL Stadium (kick-off at 3.30pm) a tougher assignment for the hosts. It is also the 100th cap of veteran tighthead Neethling Fouché and the Stormers are playing at home for the first time since early October. This all makes for a pressure match.

Director of rugby John Dobson has, however, shown faith in rookie flyhalf Jurie Matthee and former Lions standout Wandisile Simelane to step into the crucial roles of No 10 and outside centre. It is a significant responsibility, but both players have already shown earlier this season that they are capable of holding their own against quality opposition.

“We have absolute confidence in what our game plan is for the clash and that we can execute it,” Dobson said on Friday.

“But, it would’ve been nice for the public to have that (Sacha playing). The injuries happened within a space of minutes during training. Ruhan limps off, and then Sach limps off. We had hope that Sacha would be fine because it is not a serious injury, but a groin injury could get nasty. We learned that from Damian (Willemse) last year.

“Damian was close to playing, but we want to rest him another week and have him fully ready for the Bulls (on 3 January).”

The Lions will head into the game with renewed confidence, knowing they will not have to contend with Feinberg-Mngomezulu and his dangerous partnership with Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.

Reinach will still be on hand to trouble the visitors around the fringes, but the Johannesburg side will sense an opportunity with the Stormers missing two key backs.

The Lions have named a largely full-strength lineup, with only centre Henco van Wyk and flanker JC Pretorius sidelined through injury. They will be eager to cause a major upset and will look to draw inspiration from their previous local URC derby, where they stunned the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld and walked away with the spoils.

Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat said the missing trio are key figures in their game, but their absence won’t impact the momentum of the team.

The Cape side is on an unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions, but the visitors will be smelling blood with the absence of the key players. They will look to make it as difficult as possible for their hosts to maintain that winning streak.

With momentum and early-season bragging rights on the line, all signs point to a fiercely contested derby in Cape Town.

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.