Five key players to watch as Stormers face Glasgow Warriors in URC showdown

The Stormers will look to make history by eliminating the reigning United Rugby Championship (URC) titleholders, the Glasgow Warriors, on Friday evening with a first-ever victory at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35 pm start).

While they are aware that it will take a concerted team effort over the 80 minutes of rugby, the Cape side will bank on some of their game-breakers and front-rankers to lay the platform for their onslaught.

Independent Media looks at five key players that could aid the Stormers in their quest to reach the semi-finals.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

While he looks to have no nervous moments when he is in the flyhalf saddle for the Cape side, knockout matches bring another form of pressure that he must embrace to lead the side on the attack and with his kicking boot.

 It will be the first quarter-final where Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the general of his team and the Warriors defenders will paint a big red target on his front and back to unsettle him. He will have limited time and space to work his magic, but his cool and calm demeanour could be one of the aces up his sleeve.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu will also need to dial in his aim at the poles because every single point in this clash will be vital to getting that elusive victory at Scotstoun.

Suleiman Hartzenberg

The 22-year-old has only had a handful of games at outside centre and throwing him in at the deep end in a quarter-final could work out spectacularly for the Stormers or explode in their faces.

Hartzenberg has the skills and temperament to stand his man in the midfield and with the help of the experienced Dan du Plessis on his inside, he should rise to the occasion. His defending in the No 13 jersey will be crucial, especially against Scotland internationals like Sione Tuipulotu and wingers Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe.

He will be primed for some attacking runs when the Stormers get the ball in space and he is known for hitting gaps with his explosive pace.

Evan Roos

Many feel the burly No 8 has a point to prove after being left out of the second Bok alignment camp earlier, but if that will be his focus, the Stormers will be under immense pressure on Friday.

Roos will have to lead the physical onslaught of his side, whether it’s carrying the ball up in contact or putting his body on the line with massive tackles to halt the Glasgow runners. His support plays when they are in space on the attack and his fielding of high kicks will likely come under scrutiny too.

The Stormers’ enforcer will also have to guard against potential handbags from his opponents because they will definitely look to get under his skin during the clash.

Neethling Fouché

The tighthead prop will be up against a formidable scrummager in Jamie Bhatti who has racked up over 120 matches for the Warriors, so one could expect some fireworks between the duo, especially at scrum time.

While Fouché is known for his prowess in the scrum, it’s his tackling and work at the breakdown that will also come under the spotlight in the clash. He is not afraid to put his body on the line and will, alongside Roos and captain Salmaan Moerat, lead the physical onslaught of the visitors.

His scrummaging will go a long way in getting the Stormers going forward on the attack or milking kickable penalties at goal should he get the upper hand over Bhatti up front.

Warrick Gelant

Alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the mercurial fullback has been the flash for the Cape side at the back with his calculated unpredictability with the ball in hand. While he’s been one of the attacking sparks, his defensive skills also came to the fore this season.

Gelant has worked hard on his last-ditch defending and getting up after a tackle to compete over the ball for turnovers. That’s made him the Stormers’ most successful poacher at the breakdown. It’s not his primary role, but it will be an important one against a strong Glasgow attack.

Kicking off both his feet from the back has also been a strong suit and how he covers ground in his half when the Warriors boot the ball to him will be critical.