Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu leads pack-driven Stormers in do-or-die Champions Cup tie

The Stormers may have been forced into changes at the back, but they will lean heavily on a settled and powerful pack of forwards as they prepare for a must-win Champions Cup clash against Leicester Tigers at the DHL Stadium on Saturday (5.15pm kick-off).

With qualification for the Round of 16 on the line, the Cape side knows that dominance up front in the scrums and lineouts must lay the platform for an attack that has to fire if they are to secure a convincing victory.

Director of rugby John Dobson has opted for continuity among his forwards, reuniting an in-form loose trio and backing combinations that have already proven their worth this season.

In a high-pressure contest against an equally desperate Tigers outfit, the Stormers’ pack will be expected to provide front-foot ball, control the set-piece and contact area, and dictate the tempo — all non-negotiables if the hosts are to impose themselves early and build scoreboard pressure.

Behind the scrum, however, the picture is far less settled.

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will captain the side for the first time and, alongside scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, must provide calm, direction and clarity in a backline missing several senior figures.

Their ability to unlock space for the exciting but inexperienced midfield pairing of Jonathan Roche and outside centre Suleiman Hartzenberg will be key, especially against a Tigers defence that thrives on line speed and physicality.

There is also added responsibility on utility back Wandisile Simelane at fullback to ignite the attack in the absence of the injured Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse, while regular outside centre Ruhan Nel (calf) and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach (knee) are being managed ahead of next weekend’s coastal United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks.

Defensive solidity will be just as crucial after conceding nine tries last weekend, with Roche and Hartzenberg under the spotlight against a hungry Leicester side. With both teams still alive in the competition, victory is non-negotiable — and for the Stormers, it starts with their forwards and finishes with their backs.

“Sacha has been earmarked as a future Stormers captain,” Dobson said about the appointment.

“Why he wasn’t selected sooner is because he was still with the national side, and we found some momentum with Ruhan (Nel). We wanted Sacha to settle in and drive our game. He is our No 10 and our game driver over the last few seasons, and the captaincy might have been a bit much.

“However, he is a future Stormers captain and this is a great opportunity. With his future secured and being here long-term, we must invest in his leadership. He is a very good captain.”

On the challenge against Leicester, Dobson said they will face a desperate side looking to qualify, who will not just go quietly into the night.

He added that they are arguably one of the top five clubs in England, and they have a lot of pride and tradition. So, it won’t be an easy duel for the relatively mixed side they selected. Dobson said his hand was forced with the injuries to hand some inexperienced players an opportunity; however, the team is aware of what is at stake.

Ahead of two tough coastal derbies, at home and away, the Stormers are looking to build some winning momentum.

“We must win this game, and we must win it properly. From where we were in the tournament following the first two games, we have to host a Round of 16 match, although some other results must go our way as well. Five points would be nice.

“For our confidence, we want some swagger back in our game. We want to produce a performance we feel proud of with more fluency in our game. We want an emphatic, classic performance, nice transitions, and some tries people can go home with, but most importantly, the win.”

Stormers XV

15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Luke Burger, 23 JC Mars.