Feinberg-Mngomezulu dropped to Stormers bench as another Bok returns

The Stormers have dropped fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench for their Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday, with Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach returning from injury.

Reinach forms a new halfback pairing with Jurie Matthee, while Imad Khan, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wandisile Simelane feature among the replacements.

In the front row, Neethling Fouché and Oli Kebble are promoted to the starting line-up after strong second-half performances against Edinburgh last weekend in the URC.

Deon Fourie provides hooker cover for André-Hugo Venter, reprising a role he filled in the Rugby World Cup final in France back in 2023.

Connor Evans partners Adré Smith in the second row, while Hacjivah Dayimani earns his first start since returning to the Stormers from Racing 92, with Ben-Jason Dixon sidelined due to concussion.

A powerful bench includes Fourie, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Marcel Theunissen.

“We have come up against RC Toulon in this competition before, so we know that we can expect intensity for 80 minutes on the pitch,” said DoR John Dobson.

“What will be a new experience for us is to play at the Stade Felix 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,” he said.

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 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.

Replacements: 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.