The Stormers are confident flyhalf Jurie Matthee can step up in the absence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for this weekend’s URC semi-final against Leinster.
Matthee has been thrust into the spotlight after Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffered a serious injury in last weekend’s quarter-final win over Cardiff.
Matthee played a starring role against an understrength Leinster side in Cape Town earlier this season, scoring 15 points in what was a comfortable win, and while the step up in intensity this weekend is undeniable, Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has full confidence he will not be overawed by the occasion.
“Jurie is someone who is always ready to step in. He’s never really been out of the team and he has played tough games for us,” said Hlungwani.
“We’re quite confident he’ll come in and do his job.”
Matthee was the regular flyhalf for the Stormers during the first eight games of this year’s campaign – a period during which they went unbeaten – and frequently played the full 80 minutes.
“We like players to play to their strengths. Jurie will fit in nicely,” said Hlungwani. “If certain things change because he’s playing to his strengths, that’s great, but there won’t be any major changes to our plan.”
Turning his attention to the overall content in Dublin this weekend, Hlungwani said the Stormers were determined to try and play the game in Leinster’s half of the field.
“You don’t want to play in your own half. You want to get into the opposition 22 and convert your opportunities. That’s been our focus for months and it remains the focus this week,” he said.
Leinster have not lost at the Aviva Stadium this season and are unbeaten in nine matches.
