Stormers Coach Dobson Says Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Will Not Start All 4 October URC Games

• Stormers head coach John Dobson confirmed that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's workload will be carefully managed when he returns from Springbok duty
• Dobson also addressed the availability of injured Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw, who are all returning to Cape Town this season
• The Stormers open their URC campaign against Connacht in Galway next Friday, before Bok players become available after the 4 October Edinburgh fixture

Stormers head coach John Dobson has confirmed that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will not be named in the starting lineup for every one of the club's four matches in October, as the franchise takes a more measured approach to reintegrating its Springbok players this season.

Dobson made the comments ahead of the Stormers' URC round one fixture against Connacht in Galway on Friday, 19 September, acknowledging that player availability presents a significant challenge during the opening weeks of the campaign. Bok players will only be cleared for selection following the 4 October clash at Edinburgh.

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Dobson admits to last season's mistakes

The Stormers coach reflected on how the club handled the return of its Springboks in the previous season, describing the approach as a lesson learned.

"When we did it all at once last year, we actually lost a bit of shape just because of the lack of cohesion and the amount of changes we made, and maybe not giving them enough time to align with what we are doing," Dobson said.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu and injured Boks under spotlight

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has started five consecutive Tests following a period on the sidelines through injury, including a full 80 minutes against New Zealand. Dobson said the club has to be realistic about managing his return.

"We are going to have to be brave. He's obviously a big name, and he is the Springbok No 1 flyhalf. But he has played four games in a row, 80 minutes against New Zealand. I don't know what the plans are for Australia. We're going to have to manage him and back Yaqeen [Ahmed] and Jurie [Matthee]. Sacha won't return to be the starting 10 in all four games in October; that's not going to happen."

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Among the ten frontline Stormers Boks, Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw are all returning to Cape Town this season, though Kolbe is currently nursing an injury. Dobson noted that all three were offered an additional week's rest beyond the Edinburgh game but declined.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaks down

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Source: Briefly News