With injuries to three of their first-choice centres, the Stormers could depend on an inexperienced midfield combination against Racing 92 in Saturday’s Champions Cup clash in Paris.
The Stormers will have to make do without Sacha Feinberg-Mnomezulu for another four to five weeks after his clavicle injury against the Sharks.
Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed that the Bok playmaker could make it back for one or two of the local derbies next month against the Bulls and Lions, but there will be no rush to get him onto the field.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has had a tough time with injuries, and left the pitch before halftime in his last three games, until he seriously injured his clavicle (collarbone) against the Sharks in the final festive derby.
“It’s a painful injury, but he didn’t have to go for an operation,” Dobson said following last Saturday’s 40-0 Champions Cup rout of Sale Sharks at Cape Town Stadium.
“He is expected to be out for four to six weeks, so maybe another three to five. But the doctor said he will return for the Bulls at home, probably somewhere between then.”
In his absence, and with regular inside centre Dan du Plessis on the sidelines as well, youngster Jonathan Roche grabbed the two opportunities he’s received in the Champions Cup with both hands.
On Saturday in the 40-0 win over Sale Sharks, the 21-year-old – alongside outside centre Wandisile Simelane – bossed the midfield, and the duo looked as if they had been playing together for a long time.
Roche, though, was still playing Varsity Cup rugby last year, but according to Dobson, he is a player to watch.
“In April he was still playing Varsity Cup, and we had him on a junior contract, but didn’t offer him one again last year. So, I can’t claim to be Doc Craven. But jeepers, he is growing in front of our eyes,” the Stormers boss said.
“He is physical and direct, and old-school competitive. At every ruck and collision, he’s got a smile on his face. I think we will see a really good future for Johnny.”
On Simelane, who had a brilliant attacking and defensive performance against the Sale Sharks, Dobson said the flight-footed midfielder had given them some food for thought about his future involvement, with the next encounter against Racing 92 in Paris (10pm SA time kick-off).
Simelane, who hasn’t seen a lot of Stormers rugby since joining from the Lions, created the first try when he sprinted down the touchline, stepped a would-be defender, and drew two more to put lock JD Schickerling away to run over untouched.
That try, alongside the ones of flyhalf Manie Libbok and fullback Warrick Gelant, was a typical Stormers running-rugby score.
“It’s good, he really put his hand up and did well. And then there is also Suleiman Hartzenberg, who wants to play 13. The project feels like we have a couple more options (to select from). Wandi was magic.”
A 28-man squad will travel to Paris on Tuesday to take on Racing 92 in the final group-stage game of the Champions Cup.
The Stormers can still qualify to play in the Round of 16 of the tournament, but need five points and some results to go their way.
Although they will keep a few star players on the sideline for this weekend, the Cape outfit are still determined to fight for a knockout place in Europe’s elite club competition.
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