Dobson praises Stormers grit

THE Stormers are set to receive a timely boost ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) coastal derby against the Sharks on Saturday in Cape Town, with a host of senior players returning to the matchday mix.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

EVEN after being sent to the sin bin, stand-in captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remained central to the Champions Cup victory over Leicester Tigers, a result that sealed the Stormers' place in the knockout rounds.

(EPCR)

Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, captain Salmaan Moerat and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach all missed this past weekend’s Champions Cup bonus-point victory of 39-26 over Leicester tigers due to injury and personal time off.

The experienced Springbok quartet will now return alongside Ruhan Nel, Adré Smith, Sazi Sandi and Jurie Matthee, significantly bolstering the Stormers’ depth for the first derby showdown of the season against their Durban rivals.

The Stormers initially struggled to find their rhythm without several of their senior leaders against the Tigers, only sealing the contest at the death after mounting a dramatic late fightback. That resilience ultimately secured their place in the Champions Cup Round of 16, but the returning players will be welcomed back with open arms as the focus shifts to domestic matters.