Feinberg-Mngomezulu leads Stormers in do-or-die Champions Cup clash against Leicester

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will captain a much-changed Stormers side for their final Champions Cup pool clash against Leicester Tigers on Saturday in Cape Town.

With a lengthy injury list ruling out several key players, director of rugby John Dobson has been forced into a reshuffle for this must-win encounter as the Stormers look to secure a place in the Round of 16 of Europe’s elite competition.

The Stormers will be aiming to book their spot in the knock-out stages when an equally desperate Tigers side visits the DHL Stadium (5.15pm kick-off).

Regular skipper Salmaan Moerat is unavailable due to a family commitment, while Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant have been sidelined under concussion protocols following last week’s defeat to Harlequins.

Utility back Wandisile Simelane starts at fullback, forming a back three with wings Leolin Zas and Dylan Maart. Suleiman Hartzenberg continues at outside centre with fellow rookie Jonathan Roche, who returns after recovering from a hand injury sustained against the Lions in December, joining him in an exciting attacking combination.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu will steer the attack alongside scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, with Springbok Cobus Reinach still sidelined as he recovers from a knee injury picked up against the Bulls. Dobson has again opted for a 5-3 bench split.

The Stormers’ in-form loose trio of Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers is reunited, while Ruben van Heerden and JD Schickerling pair up in the second row. This gives the team a powerful engine room playing behind an all-Springbok starting front row of hooker André-Hugo Venter, tighthead Neethling Fouché and loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu.

Dobson said his team would be going all out to secure a victory that would guarantee progression.

“The goal for us is simple – we must beat a good Leicester Tigers team to continue our journey in this competition. While we’ve been disrupted in some key positions, we have every faith that the players selected will rise to the occasion.

“We’re back at home and determined to deliver a top performance in front of our fans. There is everything to play for, not least of all the jersey we wear and the people we represent each week.”

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.