Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is back to run the show for the Stormers in Gqeberha on Saturday.
His return at flyhalf is the headline selection for an Investec Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle loaded with Test-tier firepower.
The 23-year-old playmaker comes straight back into the No 10 jersey and forms a familiar halfback pairing with Cobus Reinach as John Dobson rolls out nine Springboks, signalling clear intent ahead of a brutal afternoon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
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Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s comeback is perfectly timed. The Stormers want direction, spark and kicking control against the two-time European champions, and the youngster will steer a backline stacked with power and experience, including the fit-again Warrick Gelant, who returns at fullback after recovering from illness.
He’ll have Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas beside him in a back three built for counter-attack, while Ruhan Nel reunites with Jonathan Roche in midfield.
Up front, Dobson leans heavily on continuity and Test-level strength. Evan Roos earns a start after his bench impact in France and forms a dynamic loose trio with Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers. Captain Salmaan Moerat locks the engine room alongside JD Schickerling, with André-Hugo Venter packing down between Ntuthuko Mchunu and Neethling Fouché in a powerful front row.
There’s ammunition everywhere on the bench too. JJ Kotzé, Connor Evans, Ruan Ackermann, Imad Khan and Wandisile Simelane are all among the replacements after starting in Bayonne, joined by props Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi and loose forward Marcel Theunissen.
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Dobson said backing up last week’s away win is the priority.
“It was great to win away from home, but we have to back that up now and we know that it will take a big effort against a highly physical Stade Rochelais team.
“We always get such fantastic support in Gqeberha, so we are all looking forward to what should be a big match with Test match intensity.”
STORMERS – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Bench: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
Our team for the Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Team announcement https://t.co/AwQYvSaNMb
https://t.co/3aJrMeqsuY#STOvSR #inittogether pic.twitter.com/MatmwzUH31
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) December 10, 2025
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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