Stormers risk including Mbombamba despite fitness concerns, while Sharks wish him well

Two-time World Cup winner, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, is preparing for his long-awaited return to the Stormers bench in the upcoming United Rugby Championship match against Ulster, which will take place on Saturday at the DHL Stadium.

Mbonambi's substitution is part of 10 changes to the squad and one tactical substitution made by rugby director John Dobson. The Cape Town team aims to secure its fourth consecutive home victory before the four-week break in the competition.

The 35-year-old front-row veteran, recently returned to the Stormers from the Sharks, provides crucial support to the front row, which is weakened by Andre-Hugo Venter's injury and J.J. Kotze's suspension.

Young player Vernon Paulo will start the game at hooker alongside Vilko Lou and Ntutuko Mchunu, while Mbonambi, Vernon Matongo, and Nitling Fushe are ready to make an impact in the second half.

Centre Ruhan Nel returns to the captaincy, playing in the midfield with Jonathan Ross, who has successfully passed concussion protocols. Damian Willemse moves to fullback, replacing Warrick Gelant, who is under observation for Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocols, alongside Hajiva Daimani and Lukahanyo Vokozela.

Kobus Reinach and young talent Yakin Ahmed start in the halves following an impressive performance in the last victory over Scarlets. Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu rests, and Hashim Pead will feature as a substitute scrum-half.

D. J. Schickering and Adre Smith start in the second row, while Evan Roos moves to number 8 to allow Lou Nel to start on the blind side wing alongside Paul de Villiers.

Dobson noted: 'There are many changes, but every player, except the very experienced Bongi Mbonambi, has already played an important role for us this season.' He added that 'it will require great effort to finish this phase of the season with a fourth consecutive home win, and everyone is determined to give our fans another victory at the DHL Stadium. After this match, we go into a four-week break, so you can expect them to give everything on the field on Saturday.'

The Stormers team intends to test its strategy, which combines young players with experienced veterans, in the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) matches. As November approaches, the Cape Town-based team is set to play against the Scarlets on Saturday at the DHL Stadium, where several experienced players and Springboks representatives will be absent.

Next week, playing against Ulster, the team's management, particularly rugby director John Dobson, will continue working to align all players with the team's tactical objectives. Nevertheless, there is a significant risk that such large-scale changes could backfire, leaving the Stormers vulnerable on Saturday. Despite this, the team remains strong and should defeat the Scarlets, who have never managed to beat the Stormers in the URC.

Before the match, John Dobson stated that he considers the current squad one of the most progressive in Stormers history. He noted that from a long-term perspective, the team is managing to build a squad without compromising quality. Dobson emphasized that this is a progressive team with a progressive young captain, and that selecting international players is a very bold move.

He specifically highlighted the potential of young athletes: 'Zack Porthen (tighthead) has a bright future. Olly Reed (backup left prop) is a player who makes us very happy. We believe Markus (Muller) will become a very good number 12. I know he can play both positions right now. We obviously love Yaqeen (Ahmed, winger), and Riley Norton (utility forward) completes the quartet of young players in the squad.'

New midfielder Hashim Pead will partner winger Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the starting midfield six. This combination, eagerly awaited by Stormers fans, along with Muller and outside centre Vandisile Simelane, could be the catalyst for the Cape Town team's attack if they can quickly establish chemistry.

Another young player, Jonathan Roach, performed well at inside centre alongside captain Ruhan Nel and Simelane. Although Dobson wanted to keep Roach in the midfield, he was forced to leave the game after sustaining a concussion during the match against Bristol.

This exclusion created an opportunity for Muller, although he had previously played only slightly over 10 minutes for Stormers against Glasgow Warriors late last season. Dobson explained that they wanted to give Marcus a chance since he had only played 14 minutes against Glasgow. He also clarified that Jonathan Roach was not included due to the concussion, refuting rumors that he was considering other career options. Dobson expressed satisfaction that Roach's agent debunked these rumors, adding that Jonathan's absence was solely due to the concussion.

Due to a double jaw fracture, Springboks star Cezlin Kolbe is unlikely to participate in the Springboks tour at the end of the year as part of the Nations Championship. However, the good news for the Stormers is that this versatile defender will be ready for his second appearance in December.

Kolbe sustained injuries to both his upper and lower jaw during the third test in the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' match against the All Blacks. Provided the rest of his recovery proceeds according to plan, he plans to return to the Cape side squad against the Sharks on December 6th.

Stormers rugby director John Dobson announced that they have scheduled his return for early December, which could potentially make him available for selection in the returning coastal derby at Kings Park. Previously, the Stormers defeated these two teams in the first encounter at the DHL Stadium, where Siya Kolisi, Vilko Lou, and Hashim Pead made their debut at this arena after joining the team.

Although Kolbe was introduced to the fans on the field, he has not yet worn the blue and white or retro jerseys of the 'Men in Black'.

Dobson stated that they are striving to get Kolbe back into action as soon as possible. The Stormers currently lack players on the wing, as only Seabelo Senatla and Leon van der Westhuizen are playing this season. Once Kolbe receives clearance, one of these players can take a well-deserved rest.

For now, Kolbe is only participating in team meetings while getting back into the rhythm in Cape Town. Dobson emphasized: 'He won't make the Springbok tour,' he added. 'But he is available to us from December. He attends team meetings, he is very involved, and we cannot wait to see him in the team. This injury has a positive side. I am confident that the Springboks will miss him at the end of the year; perhaps he will play in one of the tour matches.'

He continued: 'Another good thing is that he has rested, although he might not be able to eat red meat or have a braai. In South African rugby, this mandatory three-week break is intended for beer and braais. But that wouldn't apply to him. At least he has rested and is ready to play. We are very happy about that.'

Kolbe's agency, Roc Nation Sports International, confirmed this week that the two-time World Cup winner suffered a fracture of both jaws, which delayed his return to play. A jaw fracture usually means a month and a half off the field, but the Springboks star has just over a month left for recovery.

Matt Norton, Global Head of Rugby at Roc Nation Sports International, noted: 'Many people actually don't know that Cezlin had a double jaw fracture.' He explained that 'a typical lower jaw fracture takes about 4-6 weeks off if it is fixed with plates, but his upper jaw was too close to the facial nerves, so it couldn't be fixed with plates. This prolonged his return to play time because the bone had to heal naturally.'