Injury-hit Stormers back Jurie Matthee to step up as Leinster test looms

Matthee is expected to take over the No.10 jersey after Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was ruled out with an ankle injury sustained during the Stormers’ 44-21 quarter-final victory over Cardiff at DHL Stadium. 

The setback is expected to sideline the Springbok playmaker for several months.

Hlungwani believes Matthee is more than capable of steering the Stormers attack on the big occasion. 

"If you look at that first URC game it might have been a different team that we are playing now in terms of personnel from Leicester but Jurie was a flyhalf that started and it really worked well for us then. So, Jurie is someone who's ready to step in. He's never really been out of the team, he's played tough games for us,” Hlungwani said. 

“So we are quite confident that he will come and do his thing. In terms of how we play, we really like players who play to their strengths. So, Jurie will fit in nicely, if he changes anything great because he would be playing to his strength but no particular change of plans in terms of how we play. 

“Still the simple stuff, you don't wanna play in your half, you wanna get into the 22 and convert. Just a general rugby sort of approach, the team that spends more time in opposition 22 has a better chance of scoring more points. 

“So, that's pretty much the same plan we've been tryna get right, for the past couple of months and that's the same thing we'll try this weekend."

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The Stormers have also been dealt another injury concern, with experienced winger Seabelo Senatla unavailable after suffering concussion symptoms during the win over Cardiff. 

Despite losing two key players ahead of a crucial knockout fixture, Hlungwani insists injuries are an unavoidable part of professional rugby and says the squad has enough depth to cope with the challenges.

"Injuries are part of the game, it's always tough losing players but it's also an opportunity for other players to take that opportunity. Sacha is injured so Jurie comes in, you know it's part of the game, sometimes we plan for that and it's something we feel we can handle,” he added.