3 November 2026
Uncapped DHL Stormers playmaker Yaqeen Ahmed faces a premature exit from the Springboks’ northern hemisphere tour due to a shoulder injury. The 20-year-old prodigy pulled up sore and was unable to participate in Monday's training session in Italy.
National management is monitoring his condition, but the rookie flyhalf is highly likely to be sent back to South Africa for further medical scans.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the injury on Monday after naming an experienced match-23 for the tour opener that excluded any Test debutants. Erasmus lauded the rookie's honesty for not attempting to conceal the knock to prolong his stay in camp.
“The doctor told me he is a bit sore,” Erasmus said. “I saw him, and he was honest with me and told me he had a sore shoulder. Normally new players would try and hide an injury a bit; he was nice and honest.”
The national management prefers active trainers over spectators in the touring squad, but values the cultural integration Ahmed experienced during his brief stint. Erasmus noted the benefit of the youngster feeling out the environment and interacting with peers like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Aphelele Fassi.
“It doesn’t help that he’s here, and players just watch the guys training; we want them to participate,” Erasmus added. “But if we need somebody and he can’t play, we’ll make the call whether he has to return to South Africa. It looks like he’ll have to go back home and go for a scan or two, but we’ll make that call tomorrow morning.”