Dobbo eager to unleash 'new Kitshoff'

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Stormers coach John Dobson says 19-year-old Oliver Reid has the makings of something special as the Junior Springbok prepares for a potential Vodacom URC debut against Leinster on Friday night.

With several experienced front rowers sidelined, Dobson has turned to Reid - fresh out of Paul Roos - to step up against the defending champions.

"He's an exciting prospect," Dobson told the media on Thursday. "We played Olly in the Currie Cup for the last three or four games and then he played against the Sharks [in a pre-season warm-up in George] and he's just exceptional.

"There's a lot of Kitshoff about him - Paul Roos, first year out of school, both dads are characters, a special dispensation to play rugby and he starts his first game for the Stormers. He really is a young player to watch."

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Reid is set to come off the bench after a hamstring injury to the returning Ollie Kebble opened the door.

"The uncanniness with Steven Kitshoff is freaky," Dobson added. "They get the whole picture, they're strong and he's unapologetic about the fact that he wants to scrum people."

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The Stormers will be without Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Ali Vermaak up front, while Salmaan Moerat, Deon Fourie and Warrick Gelant are also out injured. Boks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse remain unavailable due to national duty.

Despite the heavy casualty list, Dobson is determined for his squad to make home advantage count.

"We've worked out that if you want to host playoffs, you can't lose games at home. If you do lose one at home, you've got to make up for it by winning one on the road. Our record on the road outside South Africa is not where we want it to be, so we need these wins at home."