Stormers attack coach Dawie Snyman and skipper Salmaan Moerat can’t wait to see what Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse “cook up” against Scarlets on Saturday.
SA Rugby’s 2024 Young Player of the Year, Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes over the No 10 jersey from Jurie Matthee for the round 13 Vodacom URC clash at Parc y Scarlets. Two-time Springbok world champion Willemse, returning after four months on the sidelines, has been named on the bench.
Speaking in a teleconference from Swansea on Friday, Snyman explained the decision to name the versatile Willemse among the replacements while addressing Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s playmaking.
“It’s a process of bringing the player back in terms of his injury, [Willemse’s] got a limited game time. We’re looking at giving him the last 30 minutes of the game, that’s sort of his pathway back,” he told reporters.
“There’s also a bit of continuity with Wandi [Simelane] and Dan [du Plessis in midfield] and Sacha now starting.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu also makes a comeback from injury, and Snyman wants the 23-year-old to embrace the challenge of leading the Stormers attack.
“Sacha… he goes 100 miles an hour and I don’t think there must be any doubt in his mind about how he needs to play. He can’t go into a game looking to look after himself – he has to play his natural game,” he said.
TEAM: Stormers switch playmakers for Scarlets duel
“He’s been training well, taking a strong leadership role within the team and it’s great to have him back.”
Snyman highlighted the collective responsibility in supporting the eight-Test Bok: “He’s a special player but it’s not just about him. If a guy like Sacha plays there’s obviously more attention on him from the opposition so that creates space for those around him.
“Our first job as a team is to support him in that role. He’s going to make good decisions if he gets the right information from the outside. Then he’s brilliant.”
Moerat believes having Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu back will provide a major boost for John Dobson’s men, who are in 12th place on the URC table and eyeing a vital away win in the race for playoff spots.
“It’s really invaluable. The past couple of weeks he [Willemse] has been training with us, his leadership has been so evident, and not just his words but he leads by example,” the towering lock said.
“His intensity in training is second to none, and it rubs off on the other players. He takes a lot of pride in what he does and for any leader, that’s something you want to see and appreciate.
“Sacha is a fantastic leader as well, he takes ownership of his role and also, a lot of pride in his job,” Moerat added. “It’s nice knowing they’re back and I’m very excited to see what they can cook up.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
