Junior Bok star handed dream Stormers debut vs All Blacks

Junior World Championship winner Yaqeen Ahmed will make his first senior appearance for the Stormers in Friday night’s historic clash against the touring All Blacks.

Fly-half Ahmed impressed in Georgia in May, as the Junior Boks retained their crown as the world’s best age-grade side, starting in three of the games.

And now the 20-year-old has been given another opportunity to show his class after being paired at half-back by Springbok A international Imad Khan.

Outside centre Ruhan Nel will captain the team that will face the All Blacks for the first match of their tour.

Nel is joined in midfield by Jonathan Roche, while the remainder of the backline sees Warrick Gelant line up at full-back and Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas on the wings.

Up front, hooker André-Hugo Venter will have props Vernon Matongo and Neethling Fouché either side of him, with Adré Smith and Connor Evans packing down behind them.

The loose trio of Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie is the same combination that started the 2022 Vodacom URC Grand Final, which saw the Stormers claim the inaugural title at DHL Stadium.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that his team will embrace the occasion at DHL Stadium. “This is history in the making as the DHL Stormers take on New Zealand for the first time, and our team is determined to make it one to remember for our fans.

“For a club side to take on an international team ranked second in the world is a massive opportunity and one that every player and management member is looking forward to,” he said.

DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Wandisile Simelane.