Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returns to the starting flyhalf role for Saturday’s URC clash against Connacht at DHL Stadium. STORMERS’ CHANGES EXPLAINED The 24-year-old had come off the bench against Toulon in the Champions Cup, with Jurie Matthee starting that game. Matthee drops out of the match 23 entirely this week, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s return the only change to the backline.

Cobus Reinach continues at scrumhalf, while Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse and Dan du Plessis all retain their places. Up front, the Stormers have made more significant changes. A new front row sees hooker Scarra Ntubeni joined by props Zachary Porthen and Ntuthuko Mchunu, forming an all-Springbok combination.

Ntubeni, who will retire at the end of the season after 15 years at the club, is expected to be making one of his final appearances in a Stormers jersey. JD Schickerling and Adré Smith continue as the lock pairing, while Deon Fourie and Ben-Jason Dixon come into the loose trio alongside Evan Roos. Paul de Villiers drops to the bench, with Hacjivah Dayimani out of the match 23 altogether.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that it will be a significant game for various reasons. “Everyone at the club would like to celebrate Chippie’s life and make this a special occasion to pay our respects to someone who meant so much to us, but we will not let that distract us from the task on the field. “This is a crucial game in the context of our season, and we face a strong Connacht team that will be playing to keep their play-off hopes alive.

It will require a focused and clinical performance from us as we aim to take a step closer to securing home advantage in the knock-out phase of the season,” he said. The Stormers currently sit second on the URC standings and could secure a playoff berth if results go their way this weekend. TEAM FOR SATURDAY’S GAME Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Damian Willemse, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.Subs: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Wandisile Simelane.