Two key players have been cleared to travel to Dublin for the Stormers’ Vodacom URC semi-final against Leinster on Saturday. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
Having lost both Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle injury) and winger Seabelo Senatla (concussion) during their quarter-final win against Cardiff in Cape Town, the Stormers got some good news on Monday when lock Ruben van Heerden (concussion) and centre Dan du Plessis (knee) were both declared fit.
“Ruben is travelling. Dan is also travelling,” Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani confirmed. “Seabelo, unfortunately, is not looking good because of concussion protocols.”
On Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hlungwani said only that “he’ll be out for a while.”
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Hlungwani admitted the Stormers had a “massive mountain to climb” in Dublin on Saturday.
Leinster put the recent disappointment of their Investec Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux Bègles behind them by thrashing the Lions 59-10 at their Aviva Stadium fortress.
While the Stormers recorded a dominant 35-0 victory over Leinster in Cape Town in the opening round of the URC in September, it came against a heavily depleted side missing a host of frontline internationals due to British & Irish Lions commitments.
This weekend presents a vastly different challenge.
“We understand we’re playing a very strong outfit,” said flank Paul de Villiers. “A team packed with internationals. It’s going to be a massive challenge.”
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Hlungwani added: “Leinster are a very good team, well coached and highly experienced. Jacques Nienaber is a two-time World Cup-winning coach and Leo Cullen … these are bloody good coaches.
“We’re playing a strong team on their home ground, with lots of internationals. We’ll have to be on top of our game.
“We’re under no illusion. This is going to be a very, very tough game.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Two key players have been cleared to travel to Dublin for the Stormers’ Vodacom URC semi-final against Leinster on Saturday.
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