Rudy Paige: Haashim Pead will be a Springbok . . . sooner rather than later
Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby
Former Springboks scrumhalf Rudy Paige says Junior Springboks star Haashim Pead has all the attributes to become a star for the Springboks following his incredible performances at the World Rugby Under-20 World Championships.
Pead won the Player of the Tournament award after the Junior Boks beat their New Zealand counterparts in the final to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012.
The speedy No 9 scored six tries and assisted four during the tournament. He also surpassed France star Antoine Dupont's record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages.
'When I met him, I really liked how he sees the game and his hunger to evolve as a player and go to bigger heights,' Paige said, during an event hosted by Generation Schools in Cape Town on Wednesday.
'On the field, he ticks all the boxes. His fundamentals are really good and he has got the pace. But he also has the instincts and his feel for the game is superb.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
'We must celebrate him and what he has achieved in his short career and what the team achieved. He has got a really bright future ahead of him.'
Pead is currently in camp with the Springboks ahead of their home Rugby Championship matches against Australia. He and fellow Junior Boks, flank Bathobele Hlekani and outside centre Cheswill Jooste, were invited to see first hand how the Boks prepare for a big tournament.
Paige, who played 13 Test matches for the Springboks and played in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, says Pead's involvement in the Bok camp is massive for his development, as he will be able to see first-hand what it takes to play for the Springboks.
'I always say you learn a lot through the ears and the eyes. He is going to learn a lot from people like Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach, what they do on a day-to-day basis, what they do post training, their habits and what type of questions they ask in team meetings,' the former Bulls scrumhalf said.
'I think being there is going to put him and the others ahead of their peers. It's going to be three amazing weeks for them with the Boks.
'He still has a lot to learn and needs to play in big competitions such as the United Rugby Championship to develop his game even more. But we are going to see Haashim Pead in a Springbok jersey sooner rather than later. He has all the capabilities to make it.'
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus just week said Pead and other two Junior Boks have fitted in nicely. While he doesn't foresee them playing any Test matches this year, the Bok mentor is hoping that the exposure will give them the desire and hunger to improve their game and push for a senior call-up.
'The coaches will be involved in the team until 2027, so it's important for us to continue developing our depth and ensuring that we have at least three players to pick from in each position,' Erasmus said.
'We don't see the Young Guns playing Test matches this year, but exposing them to this environment and allowing them to participate in all our boardroom and field sessions is great for them to learn.
'They've fitted in well and they appear to be enjoying it, while it's also good for the more experienced players to see the talent that is coming through the ranks.'
The Springboks start their Rugby Championship campaign against the Wallabies at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 16. The Boks and Aussies will then travel to Cape Town for their second match a week later on August 23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Where is former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer?
Heyneke Meyer is one of the most celebrated coaches in South Africa, having been the first South African coach to win the Super Rugby trophy. With nearly 30 years of experience coaching professional teams, the Mbombela-born coach has secured multiple trophies, including the 2007 Super Rugby trophy with the Vodacom Bulls. After coaching youth and school teams, Meyer rose to the position of head coach for the SWD Eagles in 1998, where he led the team to strong performances in the Currie Cup. He also served as the forwards coach for the Stormers and Emerging Springboks in 1999. In 2000, Meyer joined the Bulls, guiding them to four Currie Cup titles and a historic Super Rugby title in 2007, making him the first South African coach to achieve this feat. The Bulls also became the first and only team to lift the Super Rugby title at that time. After losing the 2007 Currie Cup semifinal against the Free State Cheetahs, Meyer left the Pretoria franchise. On June 30, 2008, he was named head coach of the Leicester Tigers in England. His tenure was short-lived after he took compassionate leave to attend to family matters in South Africa after just 15 matches. The South African coach subsequently stepped down from his position on January 28, 2009 and later took up an executive role with the Bulls. In January 2012, Meyer was appointed head coach of the Springboks on a four-year term, taking over from Peter de Villiers. During his time, the Springboks played commendable rugby but were often dominated and outplayed by the All Blacks during their golden era. Meyer coached the Springboks in their first-ever game against Japan in the 2015 World Cup. The Brave Blossoms produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby history by defeating the Springboks 34–32 with a try in the corner deep into injury time. Following that match, Meyer faced criticism for favouring 'experience over talent' and was required to issue a public apology to South Africans after the embarrassing defeat. After losing to the All Blacks in the 2015 World Cup semifinal, he expressed a desire to continue as coach, but many opposed the extension of his contract. After departing from the Springboks, Heyneke Meyer took on the head coach/director role at Stade Français in the French Top 14 for the 2018–2019 season. As of mid-2025, Heyneke Meyer serves as the Director of Rugby for the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR), a position he has held since July 2021 and is contracted through the end of the 2025 MLR season. The 57-year-old coach recently said he desired to return to South Africa once his contract expired. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Sacha needs to repeat brilliance from last Rugby Championship
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu needs to follow up on his excellent Rugby Championship performance from last year. Now is the time for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's star to truly rise. The 23-year-old utility back had some excellent games for the Springboks last season but is still relatively wet behind the ears when compared with Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus recently said he did not have a first-choice flyhalf and would use all three depending on the opposition and situation this season. Still, any fan can see that when in form, Feinberg-Mngomezulu encompasses the best of both his seniors. With playmaking and goal-kicking ability to rival Libbok and Pollard – and being five years younger than Libbok and eight years younger than Pollard – 'Sacha FM' could lead the Springboks through the 2027 Rugby World Cup and into the future. Sacha's rising star He may have only 10 Test caps at the moment, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been impressive on the international stage. In his Test debut against Wales a little over a year ago, he came off the bench and nailed a 52m penalty, plus two conversions. In his first Test start – a Rugby Championship game against Australia in August – he slotted four out of five conversions. He also assisted a try, gained nearly 5m per carry on average, and achieved a 75% tackle success rate. Against New Zealand that same month, he slotted two conversions and four penalties (including a 61m monster kick). He achieved a 100% tackle success rate, beat four defenders and made 15 tactical kicks. Feinberg-Mngomezulu in great form Feinberg-Mngomezulu is no stranger to the Rugby Championship. He may have had an iffy start to the international season, slotting one out of five kicks at posts against Georgia and failing to create many opportunities. But he will be keen to continue his form from the domestic season. Despite a long injury layoff, the flyhalf lit up the United Rugby Championship and was named SA's URC player of the season. His return almost single-handedly drove the Stormers' surge from 12th to fifth on the log, where the team finished. He lit up the tournament with his unparalleled playmaking, even scoring 50 individual points over two matches. The flyhalf ended the tournament with an 85.7% kicking success rate compared to Libbok's 72.6%. He had a poor game in his team's quarter-final defeat, however. With the mercurial Libbok in and out of form, and Pollard the ever-dependable goal-kicker but less strong in playmaking, this could be Feinberg-Mngomezulu's season.
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Women's Rugby Championship: Next step in the game's growth?
Coaches and players alike are advocating for a Women's Rugby Championship, citing the need for more competitive games to foster growth. With growing support and the game's increasing popularity, it's clear that women's rugby is ripe for change. Coaches and players are now calling for a structured, high-competition environment where the sport's best can compete year after year. A Women's Rugby Championship would deliver multiple benefits for the sport, including regular competition, better player development, and increased visibility. For years, New Zealand's Black Ferns have been the dominant force in the women's game, but even they acknowledge the need for more competition to sharpen their skills. The current state of women's rugby is one of tremendous potential but limited opportunity. While countries like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina have impressive talent, the lack of a consistent, high-level competition hinders progress. A Rugby Championship featuring these four nations could fill that void, pushing the game forward. Carlos Spencer, New Zealand's assistant coach, strongly supports the idea of a structured competition for women's rugby. 'I think it's going to happen,' Spencer said. 'I think tours like this are going to make that possible. The more we get games like this, the more exposure it gives to the women's game.' The more we get games like this, obviously for us as New Zealanders, you as Springboks, to be able to travel. It's only going to give the game more exposure in the women's space. It's absolutely crucial. 'We always talk about finances and the difficulties behind that. But I just think in terms of the women's space moving forward, this is a great example of what needs to happen moving forward in the women's game.' Spencer's insight highlights a growing consensus: women's rugby is ready for regular, high-stakes competition. Speaking in after her team's defeat to the Springbok Women on Saturday, Black Ferns XV captain Holly Greenway echoed his sentiments, saying, 'we just need more rugby. The girls need more rugby.' A competition like the men's Rugby Championship would also create natural rivalries between teams like Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa, resulting in a series of exciting, high-intensity games. And with stronger, more frequent competition, countries like Argentina and South Africa can close the gap between themselves and top-tier nations, accelerating their growth, and d also allow players to refine their skills and build team cohesion, leading to better performances on the international stage. A Women's Rugby Championship would also provide the perfect platform to showcase the sport's brightest talent. Regular fixtures would increase fan engagement, media coverage, and sponsorship opportunities, all of which are crucial to women's rugby's continued growth. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
