The buzz around Haashim Pead, the Junior Boks scrum-half, is hitting fever pitch after his stellar performance at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, where South Africa clinched victory over New Zealand. Former Springbok scrum-half Rudy Paige is more than just optimistic about Pead’s leap to the senior squad, suggesting it’s a matter of "when" not "if".
Pead's dynamism on the field was on full display as he dashed through defenses to rack up six tries, landing him as the second-highest try scorer of the tournament. More than just a try machine, Pead shattered the record for running metres by a scrum-half in the pool stages, previously held by French icon Antoine Dupont, with a whopping 232 metres from just 15 carries.
Following their return, Pead, alongside teammates Bathobele Hlekani and Cheswill Jooste, were whisked into the Springboks' training camp in Johannesburg. While head coach Rassie Erasmus has tempered immediate expectations for 2025, the inclusion in the senior training camp is a clear nod towards their burgeoning potentials.
Rudy Paige, who has seen his fair share of talent having donned the Springbok jersey himself, is all praises for Pead.
"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 commented. He further emphasized that Pead is not just fast but instinctive, with a superb feel for the game.Paige believes that training with seasoned players like Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach will significantly benefit Pead.
"You learn a lot through the ears and the eyes,"
Paige noted, highlighting the invaluable experience Pead will gain from observing daily routines and participating in team discussions.The consensus is clear: Haashim Pead is on a fast track to donning the senior Springbok jersey. His current trajectory suggests that it’s not just his legs that are moving fast, but his career too. With his foundational skills solid and his potential sky-high, the rugby world should brace for Pead’s imminent impact at the highest levels of the sport.