The Stormers could thrust three returning key players straight into the action on Saturday in Llanelli.
Utility backs Damian Willemse, Sacha Feiberg-Mngomezulu, and Suleiman Hartzenberg are all back in action, with the Cape side taking on Scarlets in a critical match in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Dawie Snyman, backline coach of the Stormers, confirmed yesterday that the exciting trio will make the trip to Europe, and they are excited about their comebacks. All three were recently part of the first Springbok alignment camp.
Midfielder Wandi Simelane on what goes on tour, especially when your roommate is Sazi Sandi. #iamastormer pic.twitter.com/QlJOFyik8B
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Willemse had a long-term groin injury picked up against the Glasgow Warriors at the start of the season. Feinberg-Mngomezulu recovered from some niggles, including a shoulder injury, while Hartzenberg's broken hand has healed sufficiently.
About Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Snyman said they feel they've given the talented youngster enough time to fully recover from his niggles to have a shot at building some momentum with back-to-back performances.
“I really feel for the guy that he almost doesn’t get his rhythm going,” Snyman said about Feinberg-Mngomezulu and his injuries.
SA Rugby’s Young Player of the Year is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 🙌#SARugbyAwards #ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/yIhmsfQPQv
“He plays one game or a few minutes then he gets another niggle. He is 100% ready to go. Hopefully, he can get a few games in a row for us. Sacha will have that opportunity now (Manie Libbok is still injured) to settle himself in that position.
“We had to manoeuvre around because we also had Manie in that position. We used Sacha in different spaces. He has shown what he can do at flyhalf and played brilliantly there for the Springboks. Hopefully, he can settle in and get a few games and rhythm in that position.”
The Stormers have targeted the Scarlets game as the one overseas match they must win to boost their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. They currently sit in 12th place on the URC log, but it’s congested in the middle with plenty of teams still in the running.
🔥 The #RaceToTheEight is ON! 🔥
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 17, 2025
The play-offs picture is changing every week... Who will rise in Round 13? 👀#BKTURC #URC pic.twitter.com/nZhf5LzBfk
One win could potentially get them in the top eight.
“Sometimes your turnaround is quite fast in the competition from one game to the next. We had some time to look at the Scarlets, but also to reflect on where we are at and which areas of our game we want to work on.
“We looked at them more as a team than focusing on certain individuals in the squad. How they defend, how they attack, and how they put their kicking game together.
We had some good preparation before flying out on Tuesday. The boys are ready.”
Looking at the form their opponents are in, the Cape side could gun to get six wins from their final six games. But they don’t want to look too far ahead and have resigned to focus on their trip to Parc y Scarlets before worrying about Ulster.
This time last year they found themselves in a similar position needing to win their two overseas games late in the season to be in contention for the quarter-final.
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves and keep the focus on Saturday’s game. The first thing is Scarlets. They are doing well this season so it will be a tough one. The tour is important, and we will have to get a few things right to get victories.
“The focus from here on will be on the URC and to do as well as we can.”