The Springbok conveyor belt keeps rolling, and this time it has delivered two of the DHL Stormers‘ brightest young talents to rugby’s grandest shop window.
When Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled a 51-man squad featuring 21 uncapped players on Saturday, the names of Yaqeen Ahmed and Imad Khan stood out like fresh boot prints on a pristine pitch.
In a squad assembled without injured Springbok playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Bok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, the timing of the Stormers duo’s inclusion adds another layer of significance. Erasmus has been forced to cast his net wider as he assesses South Africa’s next generation of decision-makers.
In Ahmed nicknamed ‘The Chef”, the Springboks have identified a player capable of covering two key positions in the backline. The Stormers youngster’s ability to operate at both flyhalf and centre offers valuable insurance in a squad preparing for a demanding international season. His selection is also a reminder that South African rugby’s production line of creative playmakers remains well stocked despite Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s temporary absence.
Khan’s call-up carries similar significance. With Van den Berg unavailable, the race to establish depth behind established internationals has intensified. Khan joins fellow uncapped scrumhalves Haashim Pead and Nico Steyn in a fascinating battle for recognition, providing Erasmus with an opportunity to assess a new generation of No 9s in a high-performance environment.
Ahmed, a gifted flyhalf and centre, and Khan, an electric scrumhalf, are among a new generation being invited into the Springbok ecosystem ahead of the season-opening Gqeberha double-header on 20 June. The programme will feature a Springbok clash against the Barbarians and an SA ‘A’ encounter against Zimbabwe.
‘The Chef’ Cooks Up a Storm – Yaqeen Ahmed Joins Stormers’ Next Generation
While the absence of Vodacom Bulls players due to their United Rugby Championship final commitments opened a temporary selection window, Erasmus’ decision is about far more than filling jerseys. It is an investment in the future.
Ahmed’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy. The versatile back has long been regarded as one of the country’s most polished young playmakers, possessing the kind of vision that can unlock defensive doors as if carrying a master key. His ability to operate at flyhalf and centre adds valuable flexibility in a Springbok environment where versatility is often rugby’s equivalent of gold dust.
Khan’s selection is equally significant. The scrumhalf has steadily built a reputation as a sharp decision-maker with a crisp passing game and a willingness to challenge defensive lines. In a nation where quality scrumhalves seem to emerge as regularly as winter cold fronts, Khan’s elevation signals the faith national selectors have in his potential.
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The pair form part of a youthful wave that includes several Junior Springboks and emerging provincial stars. For South African rugby, the message is unmistakable: the succession plan is not gathering dust in a filing cabinet.
Players like Luan Giliomee (utility back), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Oliver Reid (prop), Liam van Wyk (hooker), as well as Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton (loose forward/lock), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Markus Muller (centre), and Zekhethelo Siyaya (utility back), have all already been members of an expanded Springbok alignment camp squad.
The other uncapped players in the group are Paul de Villiers (flanker), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Hanro Jacobs (prop), Jurenzo Julius (utility back, JJ Kotze (hooker), Sibabalwa Mahashe (loose forward), Emmanuel Tshituka (flanker), and Jaco Williams (utility back).
Erasmus said the expanded squad serves a broader purpose as the world champions continue building towards next year’s Rugby World Cup.
It's almost time again… 🇿🇦#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/rjQkhGnJxR
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 7, 2026
“We named a large group of players as we will be selecting a Springbok and SA ‘A’ team for the season-opening double-header in Gqeberha, and this will be beneficial in the long term as we build the squad, looking forward to next year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond.”
“There is also an exciting mix of experienced campaigners and young players in this squad, and this formula has worked well for us in the past to ensure a clear pathway to build depth within the group.”
The Springbok coach believes the groundwork laid through alignment camps will now be tested on the training field.
“The coaches have been working around the clock to put the systems in place in the last few months, and the in-person and virtual alignment camps have given most of the players a taste of what to expect, so it’s now a matter of implementing what they learned in the boardroom onto the field.”
Erasmus also highlighted the scale of the challenge awaiting the national setup.
“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead this season with two matches against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe playing out on the same day, which will be followed by two new competitions in the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so it will be important for the group to build cohesion as quickly as possible and make the most of our field sessions and team meetings to be as well prepared as possible when we take the field.”
For Ahmed and Khan, the journey is far from complete. Yet in a Springbok landscape crowded with proven internationals and hungry contenders, their inclusion is a powerful endorsement.
The green-and-gold gate has creaked open. Now comes the challenge of charging through it.
Rassie Erasmus has named an exciting #Springboks squad – featuring 21 uncapped players – for the first training camp of the season, starting in Johannesburg on Monday – more here: https://t.co/HcZuczhjpy 👍#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Vjs7bOEJ2N
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 6, 2026
Springbok squad (in alphabetical order):
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Kotze (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers) Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Imad Khan (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Haashim Pead (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Nico Steyn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
