Latest news with #Pead
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackermann talks up star quality of Junior Bok players included in Rassie's training group
Junior Springbok loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead will join the senior side for a two-week training camp. Johan Ackermann has sung the praises of three U20 players who have been included in the upcoming Springbok training group. Loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead join 37 Test-capped Springboks for the two-week camp in Johannesburg starting on Sunday. It follows the side's triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, where Pead (six tries) and Jooste were two of the most dangerous backline players in the tournament. Hlekani was also solid in his carries to help lift the trophy. Ackermann served as a consultant for the Junior Springboks from January to July, finishing his stint on a high with their title win. Now appointed head coach of the Bulls, he leaves with fond memories from his time with the Junior Boks. 'I hope the future will have the same' 'It was a privilege working with them,' Ackermann said. 'The outstanding thing was the hunger they had. Even the players who didn't make the 30 [championship squad], the players we had to release, they were so hungry to do well. They were so eager to learn. I hope the future will have the same.' He said there was not one argument or incident of grumbling among the group, adding that coach Kevin Foote, assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa and captain Riley Norton were special in how they turned a talented group into one that could achieve greatness. Ackermann discussed the strengths of each player included in the Bok group at length. He said Jooste had 'tremendous feet'. 'He's extremely fast, and he's tough. If he needs to run through a guy, he will do it. Even if he doesn't have the size, he will take him on. He is not afraid in defence. If you give him space, he's gone.' The coach commended Pead, who broke France star Antoine Dupont's U20 record for running metres by a scrumhalf in the pool stages of the tournament. Pead ran 232 metres from 15 carries, surpassing Dupont's 227 set in 2016. Ackermann described Pead as an outstanding nine and one of the team's leaders. 'He brings a lot of calmness. He doesn't get fazed. His demeanour is relaxed and he takes that over to the game.' He said the youngster could see space like few could, and was good in his box kicking. Ackermann sees potential in powerhouse Hlekani 'Batho is a big man, strong. Good ball carrier, physical. I used him a lot for the mauls and we got him jumping, because when I got there he wasn't jumping in the lineouts. 'In a one-on-one tackle he can hit you. Probably his biggest work-on is that he sometimes tends to think he can keep everybody up because he is so strong, and then he loses metres.' He said the big man also needed to ensure his work rate didn't drop during the course of a full match, like it did in the semi-final against Argentina. 'So if he can keep his work rate up, he's got all the physical attributes to be a very good flanker.'
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Junior Springbok star Haashim Pead named in Lions Currie Cup squad
Junior Springbok world champion Haashim Pead will make his senior debut for the Lions when he runs out for the Johannesburg-based side in this season's Currie Cup. Pead was named the Player of the Tournament following the Junior Boks' victory over New Zealand in the U20 World Championship final last Saturday. The young talent boasted incredible numbers, even surpassing France megastar Antoine Dupont's record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232 metres from 15 carries during the pool stages. Pead also scored six tries and assisted four. He was one of three Junior Springboks – the others being Cheswill Jooste and Batho Hlekani – invited to train with the Springboks at an upcoming training camp. On Wednesday, Pead was also named in the Lions' Currie Cup squad, alongside Junior Bok team-mates Gilermo Mentoe, Thando Biyela and Morne Venter. Experienced hooker Jaco Visage will lead the Mziwakhe Nkosi-coached side once again. The duo led the Lions to the final in 2024, where they lost thanks a 60m Jordan Hendrikse penalty in the final play of the match. Perhaps fittingly, the Lions get their Currie Cup campaign underway against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Friday. Jaco Visagie (captain), SJ Kotze, Morgan Naude, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Sebastian Lombard, Siya Dube, Stian de Bruyn, Franco Marais, Morne Brandon, Marno Grobbelaar, Thando Biyela, Raynard Roets, Darrien Landsberg, Dylan Sjoblom, Johnre Stopforth, Tiaan Wessels, Luca Ribbens, Renzoi du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Zoma, Morne Venter Nico Steyn, Layton Horn, Zian Cilliers, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Sam Francis, Kade Wolhuter, Gianni Lombard, Tapiwa Mafura, Gilermo Mentoe, Rynhardt Jonker, Bingo Ivanisevic, Alzeadon Fleix, Kelly Mpeku, Bronson Mills, Manuel Rass, Rabz Maxwane, Angelo Davids, Likhona Finca, Keagan Smith, Michail Damon Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Haashim Pead in Lions' Currie Cup squad after dream U20 tournament with Junior Springboks
Scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who starred for the Junior Boks at the World Rugby U20 Championship, has been included in the Lions' Currie Cup squad. Star Junior Springbok scrumhalf Haashim Pead has been included in the Lions' Currie Cup squad following his outstanding performances at the U20 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. On Wednesday, Pead was also invited to the Springboks' training camp ahead of their home Rugby Championship matches against Australia. He will be joined in camp by flank Bathobele Hlekani and outside centre Cheswill Jooste to see first hand how the Boks prepare for a big tournament.
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Five players to watch as Junior Springboks gear up for Currie Cup challenge
Scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who starred for the Junior Boks at the World Rugby U20 Championship, will be one of the players looking to make it at senior level should he get an extended run at the Lions in the Currie Cup this season. Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby After their success at the World Rugby U20 Championship, several Junior Springboks will get a well-deserved break, but then it is straight back into the Currie Cup at their respective unions. While the tournament, kicking off this weekend, is not as prestigious as in previous years, the developmental aspect of it could aid some of the U20 players taking part. This will be a perfect platform from which they can launch their senior careers, looking at cracking a nod at their United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises. We look at five players who must take the next step in their careers. Haashim Pead (Lions) The Junior Bok vice-captain could be the perfect understudy to Springbok Morné van den Berg when it comes to the URC. For that to happen, the Lions must back him in the Currie Cup and give him as many minutes as possible to find his feet. Pead has the pedigree to become great at the union, but it will all depend on how they utilise him. His instinctive plays will suit the Lions' game. He is quick behind the breakdown, and Pead has this ability to see space that few scrumhalves in South Africa possess. His kicking game will also benefit from senior rugby. Batho Hlekani (Sharks) Hopefully, the Durban side will have a proper plan and pathway for his special talent after showing off his all-around skills in the U20 Championship. Hlekani was the physical heartbeat of the Baby Boks. But he is not just a strong defender, although the opposition felt his hard hits right through the tournament, Hlekani is also a strong ball carrier. While he knows how to take the ball up into tackles with his direct plays, he also has a keen eye for gaps and a great turn of pace. Vusi Moyo (Sharks) Another young South African flyhalf with a good all-round game. He was running the attacking show of the Junior Boks alongside Pead and looked to be in total control when it came to spreading the ball down the backline or taking it up himself. Moyo can be physical too and doesn't back down from the dirty work in contact. He compliments that attacking gameplay well with his kicking and he looks so calm with the ball in hand or when putting it up in the sky. The real test will come when he plays against seasoned Currie Cup players. Cheswill Jooste (Bulls) He's been likened to Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe for his pace and stepping exploits during the tournament, and the way he scored tries, chased high kicks, and sidestepped opponents showed why he was one of the stars of the side. The Bulls' game will suit Jooste and the players around him should be able to get him into space whenever he gets a run for the side. He ran circles around his opposition in Italy, but must now step it up against some of his teammates who know him and other more experienced wings in the tournament. Riley Norton (Western Province) A leader of men and Western Province will have to look after their Junior Springbok-winning captain in the future. While they have some big names when it comes to the lock position, it will be crucial to get Norton involved in their campaign. Alongside Hlekani, Norton led the physical charge of the team throughout the tournament. However, his leadership qualities and how he kept his team calm and fighting stood out. He leads by example when it comes to the physical things on the field and a campaign against hardened senior players will stand him in good stead.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks down Argentina to make World U20 Champs final
The Junior Boks were heavily penalised during the game, but their fast start to the first half allowed them to still walk away as comfortable winners in the end. Junior Springbok wing Jaco Williams was on the score sheet, as they beat Argentina U20s in their World Rugby U20 Championship semifinal in Italy on Monday night. Picture:A heavily penalised Junior Springbok team still managed to show enough class to power their way to a comfortable 48-24 win over Argentina U20s in their World Rugby U20 Championship semifinal at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana, Italy on Monday night. The Junior Boks found themselves on the wrong end of the referee's whistle, particularly at the breakdown and at scrum time, as they conceded 16 penalties to just six from Argentina, while they also received two yellow cards. Despite those struggles they still outscored their Southern Hemisphere rivals six tries to three, as they set up a final meeting on Saturday with huge rivals New Zealand U20s, after they defeated France U20s 34-26 in the earlier semi. Flying start It was another flying start to the game from the Junior Boks as they ran in four tries in a 14 minute spell, after going over for their first in the eighth minute. Livewire scrumhalf Haashim Pead was heavily involved, breaking from a ruck and getting close, where the chicken wing offload found inside centre Albie Bester to run in untouched. Straight from the kick-off Pead was handed his sixth try of the tournament, to go with four try assists, as big loose forward Bathobele Hlekani burst down the middle, offloading to flying eighthman Wandile Mlaba, who in turn found Pead following up to go over to make it 14-0. Argentina then got themselves on the board with a penalty from flyhalf Rafael Benedit, but the Junior Boks continued on, as flyhalf Vusi Moyo put up a high kick for wing Jaco Williams to chase, with him going over, followed by lock JJ Theron crashing over, both converted by Moyo for a 28-3 lead after 22 minutes. Most of the rest of the half was then an impressive defensive shift from the Junior Boks, as Argentina bashed away on their line and were largely repelled. But with two minutes left in the half prop Simphiwe Ngobese was yellow carded after an infringement under a team warning, with the South Americans rumbling over a lineout maul to make it 28-10 at the break. Second half The second half started much like the first ended, with the Junior Boks being penalised at the breakdown, Argentina on the front foot, and they went over first in the corner through wing Timoteo Silva, to bring them right back into the game at 28-17 after 52 minutes. But the Junior Boks managed to calm things down through a couple of penalties to Moyo, moving them into a 34-17 lead in the 58th minute. Argentina were now making mistakes, and a lost ball in midfield allowed the Junior Boks to snap it up and attack, with outside centre Demitre Erasmus breaking and putting away Bester for the converted score to effectively make the game safe at 41-17 after 60 minutes. Argentina however kept plugging away, and another yellow card to Junior Bok replacement prop Oliver Reid for repeated infringements again, gave them the extra man and eventually replacement back Ramon Miranda dotted down in the 71st minute. It was the Junior Boks who finished on top though as wing Cheswill Jooste stepped his way through to put the cherry on the cake on the fulltime hooter. Scorers South Africa U20: Tries – Albie Bester (2), Haashim Pead, Jaco Williams, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste; Conversions – Vusi Moyo (5), Dominic Malgas; Penalties – Moyo (2) Argentina U20: Tries – Agustin Campos, Timoteo Benedit, Ramon Miranda; Conversions – Rafael Benedit (2), Pascal Senillosa; Penalty – Benedit
