The Stormers are set to throw the keys to their future into the hands of Junior Springbok world champion Yaqeen Ahmed and exciting scrumhalf Imad Khan against the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour opener at the DHL Stadium.
Friday’s match in the Mother City is set to start the series with a bang, with the Cape side geared up to challenge New Zealand through their scrum, rolling maul and exciting backline.
IOL Sport has reliably learned that Ahmed, fresh from steering the Junior Boks to the world title in Georgia, will be handed his Stormers senior debut against the world No 2 side in a starting role. Instead of opting for a more experienced scrumhalf to assist the 20-year-old, director of rugby John Dobson has put his faith in the 22-year-old Khan to partner Ahmed.
That will particularly excite supporters of the Capetonians, as the duo is regarded as the next generation of stars in the Mother City. In the absence of Springboks such as Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse, they will be tasked with steering the Stormers’ attacking gameplan against the dangerous All Blacks.
Flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks set to make his return from injury for the Springboks when they face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Stormers backup flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who starred at the start of last season’s United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign, remains sidelined and is not expected to feature in the clash.
It will be a proper baptism of fire for Ahmed and Khan. While the latter has already gained valuable URC experience, it will be an entirely new challenge for Ahmed. However, the Stormers management is excited to unleash the two former schoolboy stars against the Kiwis.
Ahmed impressed throughout the Junior World Championship and took control of the world champions once he returned from suspension. The ban stemmed from a dangerous tackle while playing for the South African ‘A’ side against Zimbabwe in June. Since returning to the field, however, he has continued to impress with his attacking flair, tactical kicking and tenacity on defence.
Those performances likely put him in the driving seat for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with the Stormers opting not to risk him during the Currie Cup, despite handing opportunities to young stars Markus Muller and Danie Kruger. Instead, Ahmed was kept in cotton wool ahead of the clash with the All Blacks.
It is a massive opportunity for the young halfback pairing to state their case ahead of the new URC campaign. With Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Willemse and Reinach away on Springbok duty at the start of the club season, strong performances against New Zealand could put Ahmed and Khan firmly in the driving seat when the URC gets under way.
