The Stormers are into their first URC semi-final since 2023 after dismantling Cardiff 44-21 in the quarterfinal at DHL Stadium on Saturday, but the victory was immediately overshadowed by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu leaving the field on crutches after sustaining an injury while scoring a second-half try.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu crossed after wing Seabelo Senatla collected a badly misdirected Cardiff cross-kick and created the opportunity, stretching a seven-point lead to 12 and appearing to neutralise Cardiff's only meaningful second-half response — a 46th-minute try that had cut what had been a commanding 21-7 halftime lead. He lay in the in-goal area as his teammates celebrated before being helped from the field, with scrumhalf Imad Khan taking over kicking duties.
A medical report is awaited, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu's availability for next week's semi-final looks highly unlikely.
Senatla also left the field shortly after his involvement in the move — an apparent injury — at which point Khan shifted to the wing, where he acquitted himself well, including winning a contestable kick that sent replacement scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer over the line, though that score was chalked off by the TMO for a Stormers player being in front of the runner.
The six-try-to-three victory in front of just over 30,000 at DHL Stadium was built overwhelmingly on forward dominance. The Stormers scrum was relentless, pinning Cardiff inside their own half and frequently their own 22 for extended periods of the first half. Cardiff were made to look vulnerable at set-piece throughout and eventually finished the match with 13 men, the Stormers scrum having taken its toll in more ways than one.
For all the Stormers' control, Cardiff showed considerable resilience, and a James Botham try had made it 26-21 at around the hour mark — a scoreline that did not reflect the balance of play. The hosts then steadied through a Paul de Villiers driving-maul try that restored a 10-point buffer with under 15 minutes remaining. A Matthee penalty extended it to 13, before a sharp counter-attack from deep — Matthee breaking through the Cardiff defence inside his own half — sent JJ Kotze over for the sixth try and a final margin of 23 points.
The win also served as direct revenge for a defeat at Cardiff Arms Park in the final round of the league phase a fortnight ago. The Stormers' semi-final venue and opponents will be confirmed after Leinster face the Lions on Saturday night.