Springboks’ big breakthrough star of 2024 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to play his first game in almost three months after being named in the Stormers squad.

The 23-year-old has endured an injury-hit campaign with his last game coming against the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship on December 28.

In his previous two matches, Feinberg-Mngomezulu was also forced off before half-time after picking up injury issues.

The playmaker enjoyed a stunning 2024 and shone for South Africa in the mid-year tour and at the start of the Rugby Championship, but he sustained a knee problem in September which ruled him out until late November.

Plagued by injury

His injury concerns continued when he returned to the pitch and he has since had another extended stint on the sidelines.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was named Young Player of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards recently, is now back in the Stormers squad, however, having been named in the 30-man group for their URC games with Scarlets and Ulster.

“I feel confident, I feel well prepared, and I feel the injury lay-off time has served me well,” he told reporters on Friday.

“I’ve done it properly and put my best foot forward to have a good season and hopefully an injury-free season.

“However, what happens happens and if that means that sometimes my body takes a toll it is what is. But I feel very sharp.”

The fly-half, who can also feature at centre and full-back, revealed what he specifically wants to do to take his game to the next level in 2025.

“I want to be a mature leader on the field,” he added.

“As the flyhalf, your responsibility in the 10-jersey is to lead the team forward. It’s your job and I want to do that.

“I don’t feel there is much wrong with my general game, I work very hard at it, and I am confident in it. Leading from the front and by example will probably be my main focus for the year.”

Another key player back

Feinberg-Mngomezulu is not the only key player to return from injury for the Stormers with double Rugby World Cup Damian Willemse back in contention after a five-month absence.

Willemse missed the entirety of the Springboks’ mid-year series and Rugby Championship in 2024, and only lasted five games when making his comeback in late-September, thus ruling him out of the Autumn Nations Series.

“This tour is crucial in the context of our campaign, we want to take some good momentum into the home run which starts in April,” Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said.

“It is fantastic to welcome back a few key players and they are all keen to make a big impression.”