In the shadow of Signal Hill, where the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap stand like proud sentinels of heritage and history, a young boy once learned the bounce of a rugby ball on tar and turf. That boy, Haashim Pead, has since swapped alleyways for arenas, donning the green and gold with the fearless flair of someone who knows exactly where he comes from — and exactly where he wants to go.
Now a capped Junior Springbok and the tournament’s top try scorer, Pead isn’t just chasing points in Italy; he’s chasing destiny — one try, one tackle, one dream at a time.
Roots That Run Deep: The Soul of Bo-Kaap in a Bok Jersey
For Pead, rugby isn’t just a sport – it’s a bloodline. “
“When I got capped, my dad (Shameeg Pead) didn’t clap (at first) – he just watched,” Pead recalls, his voice layered with emotion. “We’ve come a long way.”
In that single, silent moment, generations of sacrifice and Saturdays on the sideline crystallised. The baton had been passed from father to son – not with fanfare, but with reverence.
Pead had grown up watching his father play on dusty local pitches, where bruises were badges of honour and rucks resembled street fights. Now, the roles had reversed.
“We’ve switched roles. It’s special.”
His roots are firmly planted at Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, a local Bo-Kaap institution whose spirit runs through him like sweat on a summer match day.
“When I step onto that field, I’m representing them,” Pead says. “I want to show appreciation for what they’ve done for me.”
Every time he laces his boots, he carries the hopes of a community on his shoulders – a community that raised him on a diet of discipline, drive, and dreams far larger than the confines of Bo-Kaap’s tight alleys.
Lessons from the Furnace: From Defensive Woes to Tactical Composure
Pead’s rugby education hasn’t all been glory and green jerseys. Earlier this year, during a gruelling Rugby Championship campaign, he and his teammates tasted the bitter broth of defeat.
“We struggled defensively,” he admits with refreshing candour.
“But we’ve fixed a lot over the past few weeks. I feel confident – so does the team.”
Like any scrumhalf worth his salt, Pead knows you can learn from every contest.
“Our tech was strong,” he reflects. “We’ve learned from mistakes. Keep doing what we’re doing, and we’ll find success.”
That blend of humility and hunger is now fuelling a Junior Boks side charging into a historic final against the Baby All Blacks — a clash as rich in history as it is in rivalry.
The Final Hurdle: Baby Blacks Await in Rovigo
Saturday night’s final in Rovigo is a furnace, where talent will be tested and legends forged.
The All Blacks bring thunder with their power runners – a challenge tailor-made for Pead’s defensive prowess and calm under fire.
“It’s great to be part of a game of this magnitude,” he says.
“But it doesn’t mean we need to change our preparation or approach. We’ll stick to our routine, trust our processes, and enjoy the occasion.”
The Junior Boks’ semi-final victory over Argentina showed both teeth and tenacity.
“Our strike plays were outstanding, and the defence was gutsy,” said head coach Kevin Foote.
“New Zealand back their attack and they’ve grown in confidence. Like us, they’re passionate and composed. It’s going to be a great game.”
With six tries and several assists, Pead has been dancing through defences like a winger in a phone booth. But he’s quick to redirect the spotlight:
“Our tries have been a result of the platform laid by the coaches. They’ve prepared us so well and given us the freedom to showcase our skills.”
Captain Riley Norton, a Paul Roos Gymnasium product, and vice-captain Pead, formerly of Bishops, are both steeped in the pressure-cooker of elite South African schoolboy rugby.
“We’re used to big games,” said Norton. “Playing in front of huge, passionate crowds back home has helped us handle the pressure.”
That steel has held firm in Italy, where Pead and co. now stand on the edge of history.
Rising Star, Relentless Ambition
But for Pead, the horizon stretches well beyond the foothills of Rovigo.
“I’m in the Lions setup now – making that Currie Cup debut would be special,” he says. Yet even that is only a stepping-stone.
“The goal is to make the Springboks one day.”
It’s a tall mountain, but he’s already halfway up.
Leaving Cape Town for Johannesburg was a trial by fire.
“Being out on my own in Joburg was tough at first. But the Lions welcomed me. Their hospitality made the transition easy.”
It’s a city known for forging steel, and Pead’s already showing signs of becoming Springbok-grade alloy.
Coach Foote sees it, too. He credits Pead’s presence and mentorship in shaping the brilliance of flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who’s kicked a tournament-leading 50 points, including a monster from 50 metres out.
“We saw what he did against England,” said Foote. “He’ll take a lot of confidence into the final.”
More Than a Game, More Than a Player
What Pead represents is bigger than a try tally or a final’s appearance. He is a bridge – between Bo-Kaap and the Bok emblem, between past and future, between local pride and international promise.
This Saturday in Rovigo, when the anthems echo and the first scrum collapses in a heap of sinew and sweat, Haashim Pead will be there — a flame from Bo-Kaap burning bright on the global stage.
And no matter the outcome, that fire is far from burning out. It’s only just been lit.
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