Cape Town - Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck believes youngster Cheslin Kolbe could play a vital role as impact player in their Super Rugby match against the Sharks at Newlands this weekend.
The 19-year-old utility back was on Wednesday included on the bench for the important South African derby, which kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
Kolbe has played for the Springbok Sevens side and represented Western Province four times - three at fullback and one at wing - in the Vodacom Cup this year.
GALLERY: Super 15 match-ups
He may be small (1.70m and 80kg - Die Burger) but Fleck is confident he'll have what it takes against a physical Sharks side.
"Cheslin could definitely have a role to play fot us this weekend. We were very impressed with him during the Vodacom Cup. He reminds of a young Gio Aplon and is very brave," Fleck told Die Burger's website.
"He always wants the ball in his hands and has tremendous pace and a solid step. He's also very good under the high ball and kicks just as well as Gio and Joe Pietersen. Cheslin also has the ability to, despite his small body, tackle big players.
"It's a guy we could send on late in the game to hopefully do something special. He's relatively quiet, but has confidence and is a strong character."
The Stormers are currently languishing in 11th spot on the overall log with only two wins from six games. They also lie second last in the South African conference, with only the Kings below them.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Damian de Allende, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Gio Aplon, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Cheslin Kolbe
Sharks:
15. Francois Steyn, 14. Sean Robinson, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Ryan Kankowski, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Kyle Cooper, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Anton Bresler, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Riaan Viljoen, 22. Odwa Ndungane
The 19-year-old utility back was on Wednesday included on the bench for the important South African derby, which kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
Kolbe has played for the Springbok Sevens side and represented Western Province four times - three at fullback and one at wing - in the Vodacom Cup this year.
GALLERY: Super 15 match-ups
He may be small (1.70m and 80kg - Die Burger) but Fleck is confident he'll have what it takes against a physical Sharks side.
"Cheslin could definitely have a role to play fot us this weekend. We were very impressed with him during the Vodacom Cup. He reminds of a young Gio Aplon and is very brave," Fleck told Die Burger's website.
"He always wants the ball in his hands and has tremendous pace and a solid step. He's also very good under the high ball and kicks just as well as Gio and Joe Pietersen. Cheslin also has the ability to, despite his small body, tackle big players.
"It's a guy we could send on late in the game to hopefully do something special. He's relatively quiet, but has confidence and is a strong character."
The Stormers are currently languishing in 11th spot on the overall log with only two wins from six games. They also lie second last in the South African conference, with only the Kings below them.
Teams:
Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Damian de Allende, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Gio Aplon, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Nizaam Carr, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Cheslin Kolbe
Sharks:
15. Francois Steyn, 14. Sean Robinson, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Ryan Kankowski, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Kyle Cooper, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Anton Bresler, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Riaan Viljoen, 22. Odwa Ndungane