Former Stormer Oli Kebble returns to prove he can emulate Kitsie and co: 'He's made it clear'

Oli Kebble returns to his former hunting ground as a man on a mission.

That's the assurance given by his Glasgow Warriors head coach, Danny Wilson, ahead of the Scottish club's United Rugby Championship clash with the Stormers on Friday at the Cape Town Stadium.

During a relatively unfulfilling five-year stint at the Stormers, the 29-year-old loosehead had to play in the shadows of his former Junior Springbok team-mate Steven Kitshoff.

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Kitshoff's departure for Bordeaux back in late 2015 allowed Kebble to stake his claim, but the presence of other wily technicians as JC Janse van Rensburg and Ali Vermaak as well as his own struggles with injuries meant he couldn't take advantage.

Once the affectionately nicknamed "Spicy Plum" was slated for a return to South Africa in 2017, Kebble packed his bags for Scotland's largest city.

Now an 11-Test Scottish international, he has a point to prove against Springbok opponents who were above him in the Stormers' pecking order.

"Oli's extremely excited and motivated to essentially come 'home'. He's really keen to prove himself at that level, particularly against this opposition," Wilson said on Thursday after selecting Kebble to start in the No 1 jersey.

"He made that very clear to me in the build-up to the week."

More importantly, Kebble will play a notable role in imbuing his team-mates with some local knowledge in a match that could prove crucial in the race for the play-offs.

Stormers

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra