Haashim Pead will make his first start at scrumhalf for the DHL Stormers on Saturday, with former schoolboy flyhalf partner Yaqeen Ahmed poised to join the action from the bench in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against the Ospreys at DHL Stadium.
The promising pair, whose rugby partnership began in their schooldays, will have another opportunity to turn youthful promise into professional impact as the Stormers look to keep their season firmly on track against the Welsh visitors.
Pead gets the starting No 9 jersey, while Ahmed, who has represented Western Province at Craven Week and progressed to SA A level, is among the replacements. Their reunion offers a tantalising glimpse of the next generation of Cape rugby talent, with Saturday’s stage considerably bigger than the schoolboy fields where their partnership began.
Kick-off is at 16:00, with tickets available at stormers.co.za.
The Stormers’ matchday squad blends youthful ambition with seasoned firepower, and Paul de Villiers will captain the side as they prepare for a demanding examination against Welsh opposition.
Our team to face Scarlets at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
📢 Full announcement https://t.co/A2qW8eVLYS
🎟️ Tickets https://t.co/9YdUZ9t6qH#STOvSCA @Vodacom #URC #inittogether pic.twitter.com/ybLfwmMns7— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) October 21, 2026
Markus Muller makes his first start for the Cape side at inside centre, partnering Wandisile Simelane, while Warrick Gelant returns to the starting XV at fullback. Ruhan Nel continues to rest as a precaution.
The backline changes put Pead in the spotlight, with veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach waiting in the wings. Ahmed will also be ready to make his mark when called upon, giving the Stormers exciting options to inject pace and precision into the contest.
Up front, Hacjivah Dayimani returns at No 8 after missing last week’s action because of concussion, with Evan Roos shifting to blindside flank. Riley Norton and Connor Evans form a new lock pairing, while JD Schickerling and Adré Smith provide second-half reinforcements.
The all-Springbok front row of Zachary Porthen, André-Hugo Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu will lead the charge, backed by Lukhanyo Vokozela, Olly Reid and Neethling Fouché.
De Villiers will again lead a squad featuring fellow former Junior Springbok captains Norton, Porthen and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, a reminder that the Stormers’ leadership pipeline is running as strongly as their attacking game.
Director of Rugby John Dobson believes the combination of emerging talent and experience makes for compelling viewing.
“We have four players in Markus Muller, Riley Norton, Olly Reid and Yaqeen Ahmed who are young enough to be playing for the DHL Stormers Bolts, along with the likes of Deon Fourie who is the second most-capped player of all time for this club.”
Dobson highlighted the dynamic combinations available to the coaching staff and the challenge posed by their opponents.
“There are some really dynamic combinations both in the starting line-up and the replacements bench and they will all be tested against a Scarlets team that has made an impressive start to the season.”
He added: “We have enjoyed some great support this month and everyone is looking forward to an electric atmosphere at DHL Stadium once again.”
With Pead taking the starting role and Ahmed waiting in reserve, the Stormers will hope their young guns can help keep the scoreboard ticking and send the home crowd into full voice.
Starting XV
15 Warrick Gelant; 14 Seabelo Senatla; 13 Wandisile Simelane; 12 Markus Muller; 11 Leolin Zas; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 9 Haashim Pead; 8 Hacjivah Dayimani; 7 Evan Roos; 6 Paul de Villiers (captain); 5 Connor Evans; 4 Riley Norton; 3 Zachary Porthen; 2 André-Hugo Venter; 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements
16 Lukhanyo Vokozela; 17 Olly Reid; 18 Neethling Fouché; 19 Adré Smith; 20 JD Schickerling; 21 Deon Fourie; 22 Cobus Reinach; 23 Yaqeen Ahmed.
