Old boy Joe makes Stormers nervous
Pietersen represented the Stormers for a number of seasons (mostly at fullback) between 2006 and 2013 and he was integral part of the Cape side's game under Allister Coetzee.
The 31-year-old moved to the Sharks last year after having a stint with the Cheetahs in Super Rugby. Before that he was in France with Biarritz.
With Patrick Lambie out injured for the Durban-based team, Pietersen has had an important role to fill in the No.10 jersey.
"He [Pietersen] is a good player," said Fleck. "We loved him when he was here. He is a solid guy and a good rugby player.
"When Joe gets a bit of time on the ball he is dangerous and he can make decisions. We can't just let him have it his way. We got to put him under a bit of pressure.
"He is a points-scoring machine and he has brought a nice flow into their [Sharks] attack.
"He is just running things smoothly there for them at the moment. We are going to have to put him under a bit of pressure."
Kurt Coleman will be wearing the all-important No.10 jersey for the Stormers this weekend after Robert du Preez was ruled out of action for 12 weeks after picking up a serious knee injury in the 20-10 victory over the Cheetahs last week.
While Fleck is confident in Coleman's abilities, there is another man on the bench who also has his coach's confidence.
Jean-Luc du Plessis, who the is the son of Western Province great Carel du Plessis, will provide cover for Coleman and Fleck knows what the young 21-year-old is capable of.
"He is a talented individual and he is a player I coached last year at Under-21 level. We got a good relationship and he is a talented flyhalf. I am looking forward to seeing how he goes. He has been training incredibly hard. He has just been waiting for that opportunity and he has it now.
"It is important that he goes in there nice and confident and just do the basics well.
"He's got X-factor and he's got a good left boot. He's got a good distribution game and he communicates really well for such a young kid, which is important.
"He is keen to show what he is made of," Fleck added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
