WITH club captain Werner Swanepoel barely able to wrestle himself from his sickbed, Saturday was perhaps not the time to herald the arrival of a new scrum half.

Neil Cole jetted into Sixways to witness Worcester rack up their biggest points total of the season against Manchester while surveying the 'opposition' in the number nine shirt.

Unable to break into the Natal Sharks set up on a regular basis, the 24-year-old has decided that Worcester could hold the key to unlocking what most in South Africa believe is a vast potential.

According to Charles Louw -- Cole's former mentor at under-21 level -- the sky's the limit.

"Neil is a great player with tremendous potential," he said.

"Technically, he is without a doubt one of the best passers of the ball in the country. I am looking forward to following his career and I don't see any reason why he can't go to the top in South African rugby one day."

Since he was a boy, Cole has been talked of as a future star of the game with pace to burn and a passing ability deemed his best quality. Initially only contracted at Sixways until April, however, Cole knows that he has to make a big impression at Worcester and fast.

"I was third in line at Natal and I thought it was time to make a fresh start somewhere else," he said.

"From looking at the quality of the players here at Worcester, I know it's going to be tough but I'll just get down to work and hopefully I can get on the field and help the team out.

"Obviously when you have players of the pedigree of Werner Swanepoel at the club, you know you've got a lot to live up to.

"He was a Springbok when I was learning the game and he's a great role model for every scrum half.

"I'd love to take over from him at Worcester but it's not going to be easy. I'm determined, though, to make an impression here and stay on.

"I was surprised at the level of facilities, they are just superb, while there is a great coaching set up at the club.

"Andy Keast is greatly respected after his time at Natal and I was delighted to come to Worcester and meet him. Certainly you can see, after a few training sessions, just why he is so highly regarded and I think he can really improve my game."

Cole comes to Sixways with the reputation of a pass master but, after enjoying a try enriched Vodacom Cup campaign last season, he doesn't look a one-trick pony.

"People have always said that my distribution is my strong point," he said.

"I can adapt to what the coaches want, however. I can kick off both feet and I've been brought up in Natal where they like to have physical scrum halves. I think defensively you have to be strong in South Africa but I also like to score tries, I was the top try scorer in the Vodacom Cup last season for Natal's second team, the Wildebeests."

The next challenge should be a cameo at Wakefield on Saturday if the game is going to plan. Selected on the bench, Cole should get some game time at College Grove followed by Monday's reserve team outing at Bristol.

"I'm thrilled at being in the squad for Wakefield," he added.

"I'm just desperate to get on the park in a Worcester shirt and play some rugby. Hopefully I can show people what I can do. Worcester is the furthest north I've ever been in England. Yorkshire should be an experience!"