SPRINGBOK flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to start for the Stormers against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
As the rivalry heats up in South African rugby, the Stormers will face off against the Sharks in a crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) clash this Saturday at Kings Park.
The match (5 pm start) promises to be a captivating encounter as the international club season resumes, with both teams fielding formidable line-ups packed with national representatives. The inaugural URC champions are unbeaten against the home side and will look to keep that record intact.
In an intriguing selection decision, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has opted to start rookie flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ahead of the experienced Manie Libbok.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return from a knee injury, which hindered his debut international season, allows him to take the helm against a Springbok-laden Sharks squad.
Dobson's decision appears to reflect Feinberg-Mngomezulu's extensive training with the team over the past few weeks compared to Libbok, who only joined the Cape side following a successful tour with the Springboks.
This match will mark Feinberg-Mngomezulu's first URC appearance of the season and he will pair with the seasoned Herschel Jantjies in the halfback position. With a stable backline that aims to put the ball through hands, the Stormers will look to exploit space and potentially run the Sharks off their feet.
The Stormers will also benefit from the return of loosehead prop Ali Vermaak, who will reinforce a powerful front row alongside Bok hooker Joseph Dweba and tighthead Neethling Fouche. They will face a formidable challenge against the Sharks' own Springbok props, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, as well as Scottish international Dylan Richardson. This heavyweight battle in the scrum is sure to be a highlight of the match.
In the loose trio, Dobson has chosen a mix of mobility and power, with Marcel Theunissen at number eight and experienced flankers Dave Ewers and Springbok Ben-Jason Dixon alongside him. The second-row duo of JD Schickerling and Ruben van Heerden will be vital in both winning their own lineouts and disrupting the Sharks' set pieces and rolling mauls.
Reflecting on the team's preparations, Dobson expressed optimism about their performance.
“After working together as a group for the last few weeks, we are aiming to rise to the challenge we will face in Durban on Saturday. These South African derbies are always big occasions, and this is a great opportunity for us to show what we are all about.”
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis (captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Bench: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Manie Libbok.