Sacha and Damian ‘genuinely keen’ to face Scarlets

WHEN Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse became available for the Stormers, there wasn’t even a long discussion about including them in the starting lineup for tonight's clash with the Scarlets in Wales.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

The Springbok duo will start at flyhalf and fullback respectively in Llanelli (8.45pm kickoff), with the Cape side targeting the match as a chance to get off to a good start in their first overseas game of the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

After two home victories, the former champions will now look to carry that momentum forward as they aim to remain unbeaten in the early stages of the tournament. On this tour, they will also face Italian sides Zebre and Benetton, and have set a realistic target of staying unbeaten. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse will play a major role in that ambition on Friday, with the pair expected to add spark and firepower to the Stormers’ backline. They'll be hoping the forwards can lay a solid foundation at set-piece time to provide the attacking platform they need.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said during the team announcement that there was little debate about getting the Bok duo involved.