Junior Bok star Haashim Pead secures long-term future with Lions

The 20-year-old, widely regarded as one of South Africa's most promising young talents, has already made a name for himself both domestically and internationally.

Pead burst onto the scene with a stellar performance at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, where he played a pivotal role in the Junior Boks' tournament-winning campaign and was named Player of the Tournament. His performances earned him comparisons to French star Antoine Dupont, thanks to his blistering pace, precise passing, and tactical kicking.

At the Lions, Pead has gradually been integrated into the senior squad under coach Ivan van Rooyen. While he made his Currie Cup debut last August against the Bulls, his appearances in the United Rugby Championship and EPCR Challenge Cup have been carefully managed. Limited game time against teams like Perpignan, Lyon, and the Ospreys allowed Pead to gain experience without being overexposed.

Despite the measured approach, Pead's potential has already shone through in high-pressure moments. He scored the decisive try in the Lions' dramatic 23–22 victory over the Sharks in early January, having been on the field for just 14 minutes-a sign of his big-match temperament.

Pead's journey to professional rugby began in his local Bo-Kaap team, Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, inspired by his father's own rugby career. He went on to matriculate at Bishops and represented Western Province at the 2023 Craven Week, before progressing through the Junior Bok system.

His signing is part of a broader retention strategy by the Lions, who have recently extended contracts for key players including Springboks Ruan Venter, Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, and loosehead prop SJ Kotze, as well as emerging talents like RF Schoeman and Batho Hlekani. The union has also successfully brought Boan Venter back from Edinburgh, highlighting their ambition to retain South Africa's top young talent.

With Pead locked in until 2028, the Lions have secured a cornerstone for their future - a young scrum-half whose trajectory suggests he could be a fixture in the senior Springbok squad in the years to come.