Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to spearhead the Stormers' bomb squad in the experimental approach by John Dobson in Toulon.
Image: Backpagepix
Stormers coach John Dobson is hoping a Bomb Squad spearheaded by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will do the trick in the last half an hour of his team’s Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon on Saturday.
Dobson is starting with prodigious kicker Jurie Matthee at flyhalf. Matthee is excellent at playing the territory game, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s flair could break the game open in favour of the Stormers in the latter stages at the Stade Mayol.
The 25-year-old Matthee will be partnered by the returning scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who has been out for some time with injury.
Reinach spent several seasons playing in the French Top 14 with Montpellier, and his experience of playing at the intimidating Stade Mayol is a big boost for the Stormers and vital for his relatively inexperienced flyhalf partner.
Junior Springbok Imad Khan backs up Reinach from the bench, alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wandisile Simelane, while veteran Deon Fourie is part of a powerful forwards contingent on the bench, along with Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, JD Schickerling, and Marcel Theunissen.
Fourie is another who knows conditions in Toulon inside out — he spent eight years in the French top 14, with Lyon and then Grenoble.
With Mchunu and Porthen reverting to the bench, front row starts are given to Neethling Fouché and Oli Kebble, both of whom made big impacts last week against Edinburgh.
Dobson has also continued with the experiment of Damian Willemse on the wing.
In the second row, Dobson has opted for Connor Evans and Adré Smith, with Schickerling providing formidable backup.
On the flank, Hacjivah Dayimani gets his first start since returning to the Stormers from his two years at Racing 92. Dayimani will relish the opportunity to start in his preferred position after ending his career at Racing on the wing.
He forms a lively loose trio with Paul de Villiers and Evan Roos.
Springbok flank Ben-Jason Dixon was not considered due to a concussion.
Dobson said his team is ready for a battle in front of the raucous French crowd.
“We have come up against Toulon in this competition before, so we know that we can expect intensity for the full 80 minutes on the pitch. What will be a new experience for us is to play at the Stade Mayol, which is renowned for its unique atmosphere.
“We have picked a team that we feel can sustain a significant challenge from start to finish, and we are all looking forward to what should be a great occasion for rugby,” Dobson explained in reference to the big names he has reserved for second-half action.
Stormers team for Toulon
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (capt), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Wandisile Simelane.