Stormers player ratings: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ‘continues to deliver’ the outrageous as ‘Springbok in waiting’ dominates
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu with an inset of Paul de Villiers. Credit INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/EJ Langner/ EPCR Rugby.
Following the Stormers’ 42-21 victory over Stade Rochelais, here’s how we rated John Dobson’s charges in the Investec Champions Cup clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Stormers player ratings v La Rochelle
15 Warrick Gelant: Simply have to take the bad with all his good, it’s just how he plays, and today, there was more of the latter. He grabbed a brilliant turnover that stopped La Rochelle in their tracks and ultimately led to Maart’s second try. Got on the scoresheet too, catching the ball off his boot laces to finish off the chance. 7
14 Dylan Maart: Patiently waited for the ball to sit up for him before latching on and grabbing his opening try. He chased high balls well and was in the right place to score his second after more Feinberg-Mngomezulu brilliance. A handful of soft moments, but far more good than bad. 8
13 Ruhan Nel: A pair of turnovers and reasonably good in defence, leading the structure. Racked up over 20 metres with the ball in hand. A bit lucky that he wasn’t penalised for his intercept attempt. 6
12 Jonathan Roche: Made several strong carries and proved to be a real handful in doing so. Nothing box office but a glue man in the backline. 6
11 Leolin Zas: Took his try well and racked up 40 running metres in what was a fine display from the winger. He competed well in the air and worked well in the defensive system. 7
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Another starring display from the Springboks fly-half who finished the game with four try assists and racked up 12 points despite some wayward shots at goal. While he had flashes of brilliance, including a slick pass to Maart for the winger’s second try, his basics were excellent again. An outrageous talent who continues to deliver on his generational talent status. 8
9 Cobus Reinach: Possibly in the form of his career as he replicates his Bok performances in the Stormers jersey. His attacking brilliance will make the highlight reels and rightly so, but his kicking game was just as important today. Ageing like fine wine made sensational breaks leading to tries for Maart and Gelant. 8
8 Evan Roos: He was livid with himself after conceding his third penalty before being replaced early in the second half. He gained 17 metres from his seven carries and drew in several defenders with each charge into the defence. Not hugely impactful but a decent outing. 6
7 Ben-Jason Dixon: The joint-top tackler when he was on the field, making 14 in total. Dixon is an old-school work-horse, and it’s clear to see why the Springboks coaching staff rates him so highly. He got through a mountain of work again. 7
6 Paul de Villiers: A Springbok in waiting? His form so far this season is certainly raising that question, despite the competition in the position. He was sublime again today, winning pivotal turnovers and carrying incredibly strongly. Had a first-half try chalked off but continued to be an influential figure throughout the game. One to keep an eye on going forward after another Man of the Match Award. 8
5 JD Schickerling: Singled out as the reason that De Villiers’ try was ruled out, but was otherwise effective in everything he did. Strong in defence and a solid lineout option. 6
4 Salmaan Moerat: Another average performance from the Stormers captain. Solid in the lineouts and on defence, making 10 tackles, but was largely ineffective with the ball in hand and was hammered by Kane Douglas. Not poor but not outstanding either. 5
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3 Neethling Fouché: Dominant in the scrums, but his performance was blighted by his sin-binning for a dangerous tackle, and La Rochelle capitalised two minutes in. The Stormers did finish in the black before the sin-binning period elapsed. 6
2 André-Hugo Venter: Lineout work was solid, finding his jumper more often than not, and he took his try in the second half well. Replaced shortly after his score and a strong shift. 7
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu: Penalised at one scrum, but for the most part, he was dominant as the move to Cape Town looks more and more beneficial with each passing game. His performances further highlight the depth South Africa has at loosehead prop. He eked three penalties out of La Rochelle tighthead Karl Sorin. Hit double digits for tackles, too. 8
Replacements: The Stormers’ bench has been rather influential so far this season and although the impacts were less explosive, it was no less important. Wandisile Simelane had a few promising moments in attack while the replacement front-rowers held their own in the scrums. Marcel Theunissen’s late try ended all hope of a late La Rochelle comeback. 6
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