8 October 2026
Highly-rated scrumhalf Haashim Pead has been fast-tracked straight into the DHL Stormers matchday 23 to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium this Saturday. The 21-year-old playmaker, who recently signed a four-year deal after being released by the Lions, will make his senior franchise debut off the replacements bench.
Director of Rugby John Dobson explained that the coaching staff went to a lot of trouble to secure the former Junior World Player of the Year. Management deliberately resisted pulling Pead into their recent European tour to avoid disrupting the squad's established dynamic. Pead is now set to inject explosive pace late in the game when he deputises for veteran Springbok Cobus Reinach.
"We went to a lot of trouble to get him," Dobson said. "He’s world-class … I don’t want to use that term glibly, but he’s a high-quality player. We didn’t fly him to Edinburgh because we felt that firstly it would be unfair on the guys who had been training consistently and secondly, the tour group had a certain life on its own."
The coaching staff views Pead as a vital part of the squad's future development and refused to delay his introduction any longer. Dobson said that Pead's determination to play for the Cape franchise means the environment must support his immediate growth.
"The fact that he was so determined to come to us; we want him to have an extremely positive experience," Dobson added. "We know he’s a special talent and we want him to be as happy at the Stormers and thrive whilst getting as much game time as possible. With all respect to Stef (Ungerer) and Andre (Warner), Haashim is the future. The quicker we get him on the field and develop him, the better."