The Stormers selected one of their best backlines to date as they look to run Connacht off their feet on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
John Dobson, director of rugby, squeezed utility backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse into a backline with fullback Warrick Gelant and he is well aware of the magic they can produce at the DHL Stadium (4 pm kick-off).
He hasn’t been able to play three of his top playmakers together this season due to injury disruptions, but they will be unleashed on a depleted Irish side who rocked up to Cape Town without Irish duo, centre Bundee Aki and winger Mack Hansen. On top of that, their coach resigned in the lead-up to the clash after not traveling with the side.
According to Dobson, this is one of the most exciting backlines he’s been able to select, but he will also look to top it later in the season when the injured Manie Libbok is fit again.
“That is one of the better backlines in the competition and it’s great to unleash them on Saturday. Connacht must fight fire with fire so that we can see what their fire looks like,” Dobson said at his team announcement.
Our team to take on Connacht on home turf on Saturday. See you there!
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 18, 2025
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“There will be a game this season, it won’t be over the next two weekends, where you’d see a backline of Herschel Jantjies, Libbok (10), Sacha (12), Damian (13), whichever two wingers whether Seabelo (Senatla), Zas (Leolin) or Suleiman (Harzenberg) and Warrick at fullback, that would be worth the ticket.
“I am absolutely adamant that we will do that. We just need Manie back on the field.”
For the excitement of the backs, the injury absence of Springbok Frans Malherbe and the suspension of Neethling Fouché will take a toll on their scrums, but Dobson believes it’s the perfect opportunity for starting tighthead Sazi Sandi to step up. The Cape side has been spoiled with the availability of their two experienced guys as starters, but now must rely on Sandi to anchor the scrum.
Stormers coach John Dobson on the injury to Frans Malherbe, the opportunity for Sazi Sandi to step up and Neethling Fouché's suspension ahead of their #URC clash with Connacht #STOvCON pic.twitter.com/9zNzOvkjx6
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) April 18, 2025
He forms a front row with hooker André-Hugo Venter who got the nod ahead of Joseph Dweba, while flanker Paul de Villiers and Marcell Theunissen also find themselves in the starting pack. Captain and lock Salmaan Moerat will partner with Ruben van Heerden who will play in his 50th match for the Stormers.
Some of the changes, according to Dobson, are with a view to the future.
“I’d love to tell you Frans is just out as a precaution, but it’s a back thing and a tighthead and his back and scans and epidurals… He could play next week, but it could be a long time. He is unavailable and we’d be lucky if he can play next week.
Refreshing as always, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu👌🏽. No cliché quotes, always says what's on his heart. The Stormers are aiming for 20 points from their four home #URC matches, starting with Connacht on Saturday #STOvCON @IOLsport @CapeTimesSA pic.twitter.com/kzWOISnCl5
“Frans has been struggling with his posture in the scrums for a while and it’s worsened. He went to the specialist (Thursday), and the guy said there was no chance of playing this week. He will have more scans next week.
“This is a massive opportunity for Sazi. The thing with having Neethling and Frans is that we’ve probably given Sazi limited opportunity. But he is a massive presence in the team. He is aggressive in the scrum, with his carries, and in the tackles. It’s a good thing.
“With Neethling’s justified suspension of four weeks – he should’ve had both his knees on the ground and probably buried a hand and maybe he should’ve kept his nose on the ground, but he didn’t, and he deserves his four weeks.”
Who will be the next team to secure a Play-Off spot? 🤔@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/CevwoQo6Pr
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Dobson said both sides will be desperate to win this game. His side to break into the top eight and a knockout spot, and Connacht to keep their campaign alive and pick themselves up after the setbacks they had this week.
The Stormers are aware of their attacking threat, though, and Dobson highlighted the URC stats they currently top as examples of how dangerous they can be with their multiphase attacks.
“They are the most attacking team in terms of carries and pass-to-kick ratio. It will be a mobility game. So, we’ve made some of the changes with that in mind.”