In a match that was as much about lessons as it was about victory, South Africa A's clash against Zimbabwe turned heads for more reasons than the 40-0 scoreline. Young flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, a standout performer for the Junior Boks, saw his impressive game cut short by a red card in the 52nd minute. Despite this, SA A coach Mzwandile Stick stands by the decision, emphasizing the importance of playing clean rugby.
Ahmed's initial yellow card for a mid-air collision with Zimbabwe's Tapiwa Mafura escalated to a red after a bunker review. Before his exit, the 19-year-old had already left his mark, scoring the opening try and slotting three conversions to help his team to a 21-0 lead.
"The young kid got it wrong. We’re trying to keep the game clean and taking a player out in the air is one of the things we don’t want in our systems,"
Stick commented post-game. He further added,"He was just unfortunate in that situation. But he’s OK as well and, in the time he was on the field, you could see the brilliant touches he had as a youngster."
Despite the setback, Stick remained optimistic about Ahmed's future, especially with the upcoming Junior World Championship in his sights.
The game was not without other incidents, as 18-year-old winger Zekhethelo Siyaya suffered a facial injury from a stray boot, leading to some memory loss. Stick light-heartedly noted that Siyaya was "still in Disneyland" but reassured that the player was responsive and recovering.
On the field, SA A displayed robust teamwork and strategy, overcoming two disallowed tries and several missed opportunities to finish strong. Stick praised the team’s resilience, especially under pressure. "Even when Zimbabwe got into our 22 and applied pressure, we managed to keep a clean sheet," he reflected.
Special mentions were also given to other younger players like Luan Giliomee, who transitioned from fullback to flyhalf, and Jaco Williams, who scored the final try, both of whom took full advantage of their opportunities to shine.
The game not only highlighted the emerging talents but also underscored the learning curves inherent in the sport. As Stick aptly put it, "As long as we keep learning from our mistakes and keep getting better." This match was a testament to that ethos, blending youthful potential with the harsh lessons of professional rugby.