Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani said the DHL Stormers are unsure on the availability of two key players for the clash against the Sharks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The coastal rivals meet this week in their final Vodacom URC match of 2024. They made strong statements last week in round 8 of the competition, the Stormers beating the Lions in Cape Town before the Sharks stunned the Vodacom Bulls at Kings Park.
However, the Stormers are sweating over the fitness of playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and speedster Leolin Zas. Feinberg-Mngomezulu left the Lions game with a hip pointer, which typically has a recovery time of anywhere between one and three weeks, while Zas is nursing an undisclosed injury.
State of the URC: SA rivals set for derby rematch
Speaking during a Stormers conference on Monday, Hlungwani addressed the condition of the players and noted the presence of long-term absentee No 8 Evan Roos at training.
“Sacha trained, he was out on the field today,” he told reporters. “Zas didn’t train so not sure he’s going to make it, but we might have a look tomorrow [Tuesday].
“Those are the two guys [who are concerns]. Evan is still not [available] but he’s also training.”
The Stormers have wing cover for Zas in Angelo Davids and Seabelo Senatla, but the readiness of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who last week returned from concussion, is crucial.
He started alongside fellow Springbok Manie Libbok at inside centre, with options limited at 12 for the Stormers in the injury absence of Dan du Plessis and Damian Willemse.
STATE OF THE URC: SA rivals set for derby rematch
“It’s always nice when a player comes back from injury, and a player of that calibre like Sacha,” Hlungwani said. “It’s a pity he got off early [on Saturday] but at that moment on the field it didn’t look too serious, it’s possible we could select him this weekend.
“He’s just been quite unlucky with injuries but hopefully he can string a few games together.”
The Sharks were last week disrupted when captain Siya Kolisi (calf), hooker Dylan Richardson and lock Emile van Heerden (both illness) were pre-game withdrawals. Richardson’s replacement, Ethan Bester was subbed with what appeared to be a concussion suffered in a tackle on the Bulls’ Cameron Hanekom.
The Durbanites were already missing Bok stars Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams and Lukhanyo Am, but Hlungwani isn’t reading too much into who they bring to Cape Town this week.
“We cannot control who they select or who they’re bringing, so our preparations are based on what we want to do well,” he said. “We don’t sit here wondering if they bring their strongest team, maybe we train less, or if they bring their weakest team we train more.
“The guys know Saturday is business as usual, so whatever we do this week – and as much as we want to enjoy Christmas – we still want to come out on Saturday and make Cape Town smile and leave the field with no regrets.
“We definitely want to go out and give our best for this game, and really want to win it. It does change the way the season looks for us going forward.
“It’s extremely important for us and we’ll do everything and anything in our power to make sure we’re well prepared to get the result we want.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
