Report: Stormers set to snatch highly-rated Haashim Pead from Lions

The Stormers are on the hunt for a quality scrumhalf after Imad Khan suffered a serious knee injury that will leave him out for much of the upcoming season, veteran Dewaldt Duvenage's retirement and the fact that Springbok star Cobus Reinach will be away with the world champions at times.

The Lions signed Pead after an incredible year with the Junior Springboks in 2025, where he scored eight tries on the way to helping them claim the World Rugby U20 Championship title.

However, Pead has struggled for regular game time behind Bok Mone van den Berg and the in-form Nico Steyn at the Lions. He played just over 300 minutes last season, while Steyn racked up 737.  

Now, according to Netwerk24, the Cape Town franchise is on the cusp of securing the services of Pead, with negotiations between Pead's agency, Roc Nation, the Lions and Stormers to conclude on Monday.

The 21-year-old is a product of the Bo-Kaap and has strong connections to the Cape, where he attended Bishops and represented Western Province at Craven Week.