Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has outlined Haashim Pead’s future and place in the scrumhalf pecking order with the Joburg-based outfit.
Van Rooyen was speaking ahead of the 2026-27 season, which kicks off for the Lions next Saturday against defending URC champions Leinster at Ellis Park.
His comments come amid transfer talk around Pead, with Stormers director of rugby John Dobson this week dismissing reports of a big-money move to Cape Town as “hogwash”, while confirming the 21-year-old remains contracted to the Lions until 2028.
Pead, last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Tournament, has previously spoken openly about his Bok ambitions and the daily grind of competing with Morné van den Berg and Nico Steyn for minutes at Ellis Park.
Van Rooyen is adamant the youngster remains firmly in the Lions’ plans.
“I’m proud of his first season. He joined us after the U20 World Cup [last year], but didn’t really have a pre-season with us. So to get the minutes that he got – I think 15 caps all together – shows a bit of trust from our side.
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“How does he fit in with us? I think Krappie [Morné van den Berg] has cemented himself nicely into a solid top 23, I think, at the Boks.
“So between him, [Nico] Steyn, Asad [Moos], all the youngsters and everyone that we have, we’re looking for X factor. We’re looking for moments that can create something for us. That’s Hash, isn’t it?
“Will he get more minutes? I’m confident that he will. Will he get more opportunity? I’m confident that he can get more opportunity. Can he become a Springbok with us? I’m confident that he can become a Springbok with us.
“But Hashim is important.”
With Van den Berg set for more Bok duty, Van Rooyen expects the extra Test exposure to open doors for Pead, Steyn and Moos.
“All three of them have got a really good kicking game. Krappie, like I said, he’s going to be at the Boks a little bit more often.
“You can’t go into a season with only one scrumhalf; if he’s not there … So the role they’re in is different horses for different courses, different game plans.
“It’s a nice position for us to be in. Obviously all the players want to start every single game, but we have to find a way to use all three of them wisely.”
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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Cash: Hash can become a Springbok with us appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has outlined Haashim Pead’s future and place in the scrumhalf pecking order with the Joburg-based outfit.
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