Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has backed flyhalf Jurie Matthee to shine in Dublin as the Stormers prepare to face defending champions Leinster without the injured Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Stormers will head into their biggest match of the season without star playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but forwards coach Rito Hlungwani remains confident that replacement flyhalf Jurie Matthee is ready for the challenge awaiting them in Dublin.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffered an ankle injury during the Stormers' quarter-final victory over Cardiff at Cape Town Stadium and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, leaving Matthee in line to start against defending United Rugby Championship champions Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
While the injury robs the Cape side of one of South African rugby's brightest talents, Hlungwani dismissed suggestions that it would force a major rethink of the Stormers' approach.
"Injuries are part of the game," he said at a Stormers media briefing on Monday.
"It's always tough losing players, but it's also an opportunity for other players to take that opportunity. Sacha is injured, so Jurie comes in. It's part of the game and something we feel we can handle."
The coach pointed to Matthee's experience in the system and his role in the Stormers' impressive start to the season, including the opening-round victory over Leinster in Cape Town.
"If you look at that first URC game, Jurie was the flyhalf that started and it worked really well for us then," said Hlungwani.
"Jurie is someone who is ready to step in. He's never really been out of the team. He's played tough games for us, so we're quite confident he'll come and do his thing."
Hlungwani also rejected the notion that the Stormers would significantly alter their game plan to accommodate a different style of flyhalf.
"We really like players to play to their strengths," he explained.
"Jurie will fit in nicely. If it changes anything, great, because he'll be playing to his strengths. But there's no particular change of plans in terms of how we play."
Instead, the Stormers' focus remains on the fundamentals that have carried them into the last four.
"You don't want to play in your own half. You want to get into the opposition 22 and convert your opportunities. The team that spends more time in the opposition 22 usually has a better chance of scoring more points," Hlungwani stressed.
That task becomes considerably tougher against a Leinster side unbeaten at the Aviva this season and packed with international stars.
"We all understand that we're going away to play a pretty strong outfit," Hlungwani said. "We're playing a strong team on their home ground, with lots of internationals. It's going to be a massive mountain to climb."
The Stormers have spent part of their preparation studying how French champions Bordeaux-Bègles exposed Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup final, although Hlungwani acknowledged there are few obvious weaknesses to target in a team that put the Lions to the sword at the weekend.
"They're a very good team, well coached, highly experienced and there are very little gaps to exploit, to be honest."
Loose-forward Paul de Wet, preparing for the first URC semi-final of his career, echoed his coach's excitement about the challenge.
"It's what we've worked for all season," he said.
"To be in a semi-final and then to play against a team like Leinster makes it an even bigger occasion. We're motivated to give our best and hopefully reach the final."
For the Stormers, the road to the final may now depend on whether Matthee can seize the opportunity created by Feinberg-Mngomezulu's untimely injury. His coaches appear convinced he can.