A Cape Town return looks close
Haashim Pead is expected to join the Stormers at the start of next week. The story comes from South African newspaper Rapport and was picked up this morning by Planet Rugby. The Lions and the Cape Town franchise are said to have agreed a release fee.
The 21-year-old scrum-half is set to sign through to 2030, even though his contract in Johannesburg was due to run until 2028. In a rarity in South African rugby, Pead is also said to be paying part of the fee himself to push the move through, according to Rapport.
Stormers rugby director John Dobson confirmed his club’s interest last week. He did, though, knock back the 800 000 rand figure doing the rounds in the press.
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Fourteen games, one start
The numbers tell the story. Pead played 14 matches for the Lions last season across the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup. He started just once. Morne van den Berg and Nico Steyn were ahead of him every time.
The 2025 World Junior Player of the Year is now looking for more minutes. At the Stormers, the door is open a crack. Dewaldt Duvenage has retired. Imad Khan is out for a long spell after suffering a knee injury against the All Blacks during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. Cobus Reinach is also expected to miss a big chunk of the season while away with the Springboks.
That leaves Ezekiel Ngobeni, Jayden Brits and Stefan Ungerer in the mix. Dobson has also mentioned Andre Warner, who is available through the pathway between the club and the Seattle Seawolves in MLR.
Bo-Kaap, Bishops and the Springboks in sight
Pead was born in Bo-Kaap, right in the heart of Cape Town. He was educated at Bishops Diocesan College before joining the Lions. The move takes him back to where it all began.
Ivan van Rooyen made no attempt to soften the blow. “He’s an outstanding player,” the Lions coach said this week. He believes Pead can become a Springbok, while admitting van den Berg has now firmly established himself in South Africa’s national 23.
Roc Nation has been in talks with both franchises for several weeks. The Stormers are understood to have improved their original offer to get the deal over the line. Paperwork is due on Monday.
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