JP Pietersen says Stormers-bound Siya Kolisi underlined his value during a 24-minute stint off the bench in Cape Town last weekend.
The flanker entered the field in the 47th minute of the Vodacom URC coastal derby, won 30-19 by the visitors, before hobbling off in the 71st.
Pietersen was full of praise for the Springbok captain, who will return to the Stormers in July.
“I think he was huge for us when he came on in the second half, with his leadership and his actions and what he did around the field,” said the Sharks coach.
“You could see the way he was talking. He was massive for us in that time he was on. He gives belief and what he is saying makes people better around him.
“It’s going to be sad for us seeing him go to the Stormers, but he’s still got a job to do for us until the end of the season.
“I am just happy with what he can contribute to us in terms of his leadership. You can’t coach leadership and he was born with it.”
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Pietersen was also full of praise for fullback Aphelele Fassi who was named Man of the Match as the Sharks consigned the Stormers to their first URC defeat of the season.
“He was good. He’s got that X factor that any team wants,” he said. “There’s his attacking ability, but also his technical ability. He’s got a kicking game and he’s good on the high ball, knowing when to transfer.”
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Pietersen is now expecting a big response from the Stormers on Saturday.
“They will definitely come back harder this weekend,” he said. “We know they are going to come up to Durban wanting to prove a point.
“The challenge in rugby is always ‘Can you double up?’ and that is the thing.
“We will have a full go again. It is the same team we are playing, so we don’t have to completely change the plan, but we can tweak here and there.”
Both the Sharks and Stormers will name their teams on Friday morning.
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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