Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says the Stormers’ gritty Investec Champions Cup win over the Leicester Tigers at Cape Town Stadium was a real test of character.
The hosts triumphed 39-26 to book their place in the round of 16.
“It was a really tough game and there were patches where I had to lean on other leaders,” said Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who captained the Stormers for the first time.
“A lot of the guys I’m leading are the same guys who took me under their wing when I was 18 or 19. It’s a full-circle moment and a great experience.”
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Coach John Dobson added: “It was a stressful game, a proper contest. I know they left a few guys at home. That narrative comes up every week in this tournament – who’s injured, who’s unavailable. It was still a really good Leicester team.
“They were organised and put us under pressure, especially in the first half when we were a bit flat and not putting pressure on the set-piece or their lineout.”
In a bruising and high-pressure encounter, the Stormers battled a Leicester team that refused to go away. The home side’s resolve was tested further when they lost their captain to a yellow card on the hour mark and with the game still very much in the balance.
“You lose your skipper when you’re one point ahead – that’s tricky,” Dobson said. “You go down to 14 men and somehow we score the try that clinches the game. That’s the story of this team – the fight.”
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu highlighted the balance between the Stormers’ instinctive style and game management.
“Our DNA has brought us success and trophies, so we lean on it,” he said. “But the next step is knowing when to kick and manage territory. When we follow the plan, we put points on teams. Sometimes we drift, and it comes from a good place, but it costs us.”
Despite backline disruptions, the young flyhalf felt the squad coped.
“We train in mixed combinations all the time, so the next guy is always prepared,” he said. “That’s what we pride ourselves on – covering each other’s backs.”
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Dobson, meanwhile, stressed the significance of qualifying.
“This is proper European rugby,” he said. “Win this competition, you’re the best team in Europe. We believe we now have a squad that can genuinely compete, and that’s always been the dream.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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