Yaqeen Ahmed and Markus Muller’s rapid rise from schoolboy rugby to the Springbok squad shows that South Africa’s brightest young talents need not wait their turn, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane believes the selection of the two uncapped Stormers players for the Boks’ 37-man November Nations Championship squad is a testament to their ability rather than simply an investment in the future.
Ahmed, 20, attended Wynberg Boys’ High, while Muller, 19, matriculated at Paarl Gimnasium. Both have made remarkable progress since leaving school and are among six uncapped players included by Rassie Erasmus.
“Injuries have opened doors, but neither has walked through based on sympathy or a lack of senior options,” Keohane writes. “They are there because they are particularly good.”
Keohane predicted in March that Muller would become a Springbok before the end of 2026, having been impressed by the midfielder’s rugby intelligence, physicality and try-scoring instincts.
Muller scored more than 50 tries during his final two school years for Paarl Gim, Western Province and SA U18, and has the versatility to play both centre positions.
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Keohane made a similar prediction about Ahmed in August, after the young flyhalf impressed on his Stormers debut against the All Blacks.
Ahmed’s tactical kicking and accuracy off the tee were instrumental in the Junior Boks’ Junior World Championship triumph, with the flyhalf contributing 11 points and Muller scoring South Africa’s only try in the 16-5 final victory over France.
“There is a difference between fast-tracking a youngster and throwing him into the deep end,” Keohane writes. “The Stormers have put both players into a senior environment, alongside experienced players, and let performance do the talking.”
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Keohane believes Erasmus is taking a similarly measured approach, exposing emerging talent to the demands of Test rugby while surrounding them with established internationals.
“The best way to prepare for both World Cup tournaments is not to keep promising young players waiting for their time to come. It is to expose them now, teach them the demands, and see how they respond.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Bok rookies ready for big stage appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Yaqeen Ahmed and Markus Muller’s rapid rise from schoolboy rugby to the Springbok squad shows that South Africa’s brightest young talents need not wait their turn, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The post Bok rookies ready for big stage appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
