Springboks’ return poses challenge for Stormers ahead of crucial La Rochelle clash

The Stormers look set to bring back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach for Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown with La Rochelle in Gqeberha — but their return comes with a challenge.

The Bok trio may add star power, yet they’ll need to raise the standard of a team that has been flying without them.

The Cape side is still unbeaten this season, riding high after six excellent United Rugby Championship wins and a statement victory in France against Bayonne. That performance in the opening match of the Champions Cup made it clear that the Stormers aren’t just participating in Europe — they’re competing with intent.

But the next test is a big one.

La Rochelle, a team the Stormers have developed a fierce Champions Cup rivalry with, arrive at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) loaded with international talent and as physically imposing as ever. Their recent European pedigree speaks for itself, and they’ll be eager to halt the Stormers’ surge.

Bringing back Willemse, Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu should strengthen the hosts on paper. Still, it also introduces a tricky balancing act, looking at the cohesion of the home team.

The Stormers have built strong chemistry with the players who stepped up over the last few weeks, and any disruption to that rhythm could cause problems on Saturday.

“We always want an environment where people compete for positions,” forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said, earlier this week.

“That is extremely important. As much as the Springboks understand and are aligned with what we are doing, when they come into this environment, they must know that someone wants their position, positively. So, it makes selection always interesting for the coaches.

“We never want to get into a position where we feel that because you are a Springbok, you must play all the time. We want you to produce and understand that the person who has been holding that position wants it just as badly as you.

“We have that mindset right. No one relaxes.”

According to Hlungwani, it is about doing well as a team, and they want the players to challenge each other.

That’s why the returning Springboks won’t just be expected to slot in — they’ll be expected to lift the team even further. If they succeed, the Stormers’ unbeaten run may well continue. If not, La Rochelle is more than capable of exploiting any doubts within the side.

While the returning trio are game-winners, a possible disruption in the rhythm of the Cape side with the expected changes could open the door for the visitors to strike.

“The team is very clear in how we want to play, and the players know whoever is selected, it is their opportunity to raise the standard and not drop it. As a collective, we have done well, and we are building good depth.”

While the Stormers are preparing for a physical challenge against La Rochelle, they must do so without lock Adré Smith. He was suspended for one week after receiving a 20-minute red card for stomping against Bayonne.

The imposing Smith had a disciplinary hearing on Monday, where he received the sentence, which makes him ineligible for the second Champions Cup clash.