Sacha suffers serious injury in major blow for Stormers and Springboks
· The South African
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu sustained a serious ankle ligament injury during the Stormers’ 44-21 URC quarter-final win over Cardiff on Saturday.
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The 23-year-old Springbok flyhalf limped off just before the 55th minute after scoring his team’s fourth try and was seen on crutches after the match. The injury threatens to rule him out of next weekend’s semi-final against Leinster in Dublin and potentially the start of the Springbok season.
‘IT LOOKS PRETTY SERIOUS’
Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a significant spell on the sidelines after the Stormers confirmed a suspected ankle syndesmosis injury following Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Cardiff at DHL Stadium.
The Springbok flyhalf was in outstanding form before the injury struck. He crossed for his team’s fourth try just before the hour mark but immediately looked in difficulty as he landed. He limped from the field shortly afterwards and did not return.
Coach John Dobson did not hide his concern when addressing the media after the match.
“It looks pretty serious, to be honest,” Dobson said. “The doctor has given me his view, and it looks like a proper ankle ligament injury.”
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to undergo scans, with an injury of this nature typically requiring up to three months of recovery. That timeline would rule him out of the semi-final against Leinster in Dublin and potentially the opening rounds of the Springbok season.
COSTLY NIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was not the only casualty from an expensive evening for the Cape side. Winger Seabelo Senatla was ruled out of next weekend’s semi-final after failing a Head Injury Assessment following a collision with the advertising boards. His try was also ruled out in the process.
“He was category one, he was knocked out, so he won’t play next week,” Dobson said. “I thought he was absolutely magnificent. For a guy who has been out for so long, his work rate was outstanding.”
Lock Ruben van Heerden was withdrawn at half-time with a head injury and faces return-to-play protocols. Centre Dan du Plessis also sustained a knee injury and is unlikely to feature in Dublin.
MATTHEE READY TO STEP UP FOR STORMERS
Despite the setbacks, Dobson expressed confidence in replacement flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who slotted a conversion and penalty after coming on for Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“It’s a big blow, but whenever we take a knock, this group tends to pull together and fight,” Dobson said. “The way Jurie is playing gives me confidence that we’ll find a way.”
The Stormers travel to Dublin to face defending champions Leinster in the semi-finals next weekend.