FLANKER Dewald Potgieter has been hailed as "a man of action" as he prepares to skipper Worcester Warriors for the first time in tomorrow’s West Midlands derby against Wasps at Sixways (3pm).

Head coach Carl Hogg is demanding a "reaction" from his players after last Saturday’s Aviva Premiership battering at Exeter Chiefs.

With no sign of Gerrit-Jan van Velze making a return after concussion and Phil Dowson dropped to the bench, South African-born Potgieter will be in charge of Worcester’s on-field decisions.

Hogg says 29-year-old Potgieter is "100 per cent committed to whatever he does".

“I think Dewald is a man of action,” said Hogg.

“He’s 100 per cent committed to whatever he does – whether it’s ball carrying or colliding without the ball and I think he will very much lead by his actions.

"He’s not the most demonstrative communicator but he’s certainly got respect among the group for his actions.”

The South African back row has played four times this term after injury. He was Worcester’s best player and scored a try in the 57-22 thrashing at Sandy Park.

Second-from-bottom Warriors face a stiff challenge from second-placed Wasps, who have already recorded seven league wins.

“Dewald is very much a leader off the field when you see him in the environment,” said Hogg.

“He has an opinion on the game and holds people to account. He’s been a very successful leader within the Blue Bulls.”

Potgieter, who won two consecutive Super Rugby titles with Pretoria-based Bulls in 2009 and 2010, forms a new-look Warriors back row.

Sam Lewis replaces Carl Kirwan, who has been omitted from the squad, and Alafoti Fa’osiliva returns from international duty with Samoa to start at number eight in place of Dowson.

“We didn’t get the initial collisions under control last weekend and a power side like Exeter kept coming at us and we weren’t able to solve it,” said Hogg.

“It’s something we will look to rectify and Wasps will be a good challenge.

“Foti (Fa’osiliva) can control gain lines for you, with the ball or without the ball.

“The game is power-based and he’s certainly someone for us who can get us over gain line and on to the front foot to make the game a lot easier.

“Sammy is a different type of player and can still control gain lines because of his accuracy of tackle and is very quick on the ball, so he’s a genuine jackal.”

Hogg admitted lock Donncha O’Callaghan, who has been recalled, was unhappy at being dropped last weekend.

“Donncha is the ultimate professional and of course he was disappointed,” said Hogg.

“But Andrew Kitchener made 21 tackles and 13 ruck clears at Exeter, so he had a phenomenal amount of work.

“Donncha has got a little more experience. We will be challenged in phase play as well as set-piece by Wasps so Donncha gets the jersey because he’s got more experience.”

Wasps will be strong favourites to repeat last season’s triumph at Sixways but Hogg wants to see his side fight tooth and nail with the high-fliers.

“I expect to see a reaction because the Exeter game was very disappointing and we can’t hide away from that.” said Hogg.

“The defence is an area we are concerned about and it’s something we have worked extremely hard on this week.

“Shipping as many points as we did at Sandy Park wasn’t acceptable but we have put building blocks in place to rectify it.”