The Stormers are set to unleash Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Warrick Gelant on the Sharks this weekend after plans to have them run riot against the Lions were briefly hampered by injury.
After his minutes on the field against the Lions were shortened by an untimely injury, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who played inside centre, has recovered enough to be considered for selection this Saturday’s return coastal derby at the DHL Stadium.
Monday morning and there are already over 30 000 of you with tickets for the @Vodacom #URC coastal clash this weekend. They are moving fast!
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) December 23, 2024
🎟️ Get yours now https://t.co/V9PrjEb5ab#STOvSHA #iamastormer #dhldelivers #SummerSeries pic.twitter.com/etGtjycFKh
There were initial fears about his readiness after sustaining the hip injury that forced him off. Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed he trained yesterday and should be available for selection.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return boosts their attacking game plan, as he looked deadly alongside flyhalf Libbok last weekend and will be eager to contribute more.
“He didn’t look too serious so we are quite happy that we can possibly select him,” Hlungwani said.
“Hopefully, he can string a couple of games together, but he is always around our training centre and contributes to planning and analising opponents.”
“Those knocks are unfortunate because no one goes out to get injured. He has been quite unlucky with it. Hopefully, he can string a couple of games together, but he is always around our training centre and contributes to planning and analysing opponents.”
Hlungwani also said that due to Christmas and Boxing Day, they will only have three training days in preparation for the crucial coastal clash. He joked that he almost added a fourth when he spotted something during training yesterday.
“When I walked into training, they were practicing lineouts and I saw them miss one and I said they must come on Christmas to fix it.”
"When I walked into training, they were practising line-outs and I saw them miss one and I said they must come on Christmas to fix it," the forwards coach said laughing heartily.
“The guys know Saturday is business as usual," he added on a more serious note.
“As much as we want to enjoy Christmas, we still want to come out and make Cape Town smile this weekend and leave the field with no regrets. We are preparing for how we want to play. It doesn't matter if the Sharks bring their strongest or a weakened side. It won't mean we will train less or more if they do.
“This game does change how the season looks for us ahead, so we want to go out and win it.”
“This game does change how the season looks for us ahead, so we want to go out and win it. We will do anything and everything in our power to ensure we are well-prepared to get the results we want.”
The Sharks claimed a first-ever URC win over the Cape side a couple of weeks ago in Durban. They are the only unbeaten team in local derbies this season and top the South African Shield after two wins.
One more round of #VURC fixtures to go in 2024 👀📊 pic.twitter.com/5zyXTCTu9d
They now have the opportunity to extend their advantage over the SA sides - with the Bulls and Lions on a break - and there's an opportunity for a first win in Cape Town. Only the Lions have toppled the Stormers in the Mother City.
John Plumtree’s men have shifted up to fourth on the URC log thanks to their win over the Bulls, while the Cape outfit is still in 13th, but only five points separate them and Cardiff who is currently in fifth place. Aother Sharks win could