The Stormers are heading to Dublin for Saturday's URC semi-final against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium carrying a significant injury toll from their quarterfinal win over Cardiff, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu the most serious concern.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu left the field with what coach John Dobson described as a "proper ankle injury" and is highly likely to miss the semi-final after being sent for scans. Dobson was candid about the severity: "Sacha looks pretty serious, to be honest. The doctor's given me some views, but it looks like a proper ankle injury."
Seabelo Senatla is also doubtful after suffering a category one HIA when he was knocked out colliding with perimeter advertising boards at Cape Town Stadium. Dobson praised Senatla's performance — his first extended run after a lengthy absence — but confirmed he will not feature this week. Lock Ruben van Heerden is similarly unavailable, having entered return-to-play protocols following a head injury, while inside centre Dan du Plessis is carrying a knee problem.
Despite the setbacks, Dobson expressed confidence in his squad's depth, pointing to Jurie Matthee as cover at flyhalf. "When we have blows, this team gets together and gels," he said. "To lose probably the most in-demand player in the world before the semis is not ideal, but I feel like we are going to be okay."
The coach identified finishing in the opposition 22 as the key area to address before facing Leinster, after Ruhan Nel and Stefan Ungerer were both held up over the Cardiff line. The Stormers had multiple entries into Cardiff's 22 and were also stung by an intercept try. "The game should have been resolved by half-time; that's the truth," Dobson said. "Four entries, and we were minus seven points from the intercept, but the rest of the process I thought was sound."
Dobson also used the post-match platform to call for a law change on held-up tries, arguing the current outcome — a five-metre scrum to the defending side — is disproportionate to the attacking effort required. "If you attack well, a five-metre scrum" under the old law, he said, was a fairer reward.
Captain Ruhan Nel struck a measured tone on the injury front, noting that the frequency of held-up tries this season at least reflects the Stormers getting into the right areas. "I've never been part of a season where we've been held up so many times," he said.
The Stormers' semi-final against Leinster is one of two URC last-four ties on Saturday, with the Bulls facing Glasgow Warriors in the other.