The 19-year-old André-Hugo Venter has been named on the bench for this match which is of vital importance to both teams.

The Stormer coach, John Dobson, is excited to see Venter junior in action.

“We are very excited about Andre-Hugo Venter. We think he’s a big star of the future and he’ll play for us over the next two weeks.

We can’t imagine André Venter as a hooker, but he is the hooker version of his dad. Tough, high speed, high aggression, intense work-rate and very competitive. He’s still going to learn.

“A 19-year-old hooker won’t know all the nuances of scrumming and lineout throwing. That’s the sort of dark arts that takes a couple of years, but I think you’ll see his intensity in general play.

“He covers ground quickly, he’s really competitive and is really aggressive.’

“He is young for a hooker, but the sooner we start the journey the better. He gets the privilege of playing with Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Ali Vermaak. It will only enhance his career.

“But I think we’re going to be delighted with him. He’s very tough, like his dad.”

Venter added Grey College in Bloemfontein, and this current Stormers teammates, Rikus Pretorius, Neethling Fouché and Marcel Theunissen were also schooled at the famous rugby factory.

Friday evenings’ game at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 19:00, while on Saturday at 16:00 the Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park.

Stormers - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 David Meihuizen, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements - 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Sergeal Petersen, 24 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 25 Juarno Augustus.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport