Former Springbok claims Yaqeen Ahmed is coming for SFM's Bok jersey

Former Springbok claims Yaqeen Ahmed is coming for SFM's Bok jersey

Former Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo believes rising star Yaqeen Ahmed has all the attributes to don the Bok No.10 jersey in the very near future.

Right out of the gate, Ahmed has impressed. The 20-year-old was a standout performer among a sea of stars in the Junior Springbok squad that won the U20 Rugby Championships - where he was the top scorer - and World Rugby Junior Championships this year. 

The Bok bosses rewarded him with a start against Zimbabwe for South Africa A in June. Then in August, he started at flyhalf against the mighty All Blacks as the Stormers dared to dream in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.

And all throughout this, Ahmed has been eye-catching. His aggressiveness and tenacity shine through his play on attack and defence. He is furious in the tackle and takes the ball to the line with calculated abandon. Ahmed has a measured and prodigious boot when kicking out of hand, then blasts the leather off the ball when kicking for poles. He is not one to die wondering.

With all these attributes, Bobo is expecting big things from the rising star. He believes Ahmed - who is on the bench for the Stormers' opening United Rugby Championship clash on Friday - will continue to strut his stuff for the Cape Town franchise over the next eight weeks.

Then bold Bobo is backing Ahmed to be part of the Bok squad that heads north for the business end of the Nations Championship later this year.

"I think he could be one of those players who becomes a bolter on the end-of-year tour," said the player-turned-pundit.

"The world will get to know what type of player he is. For me it's just the toughness that he has. There's something about the way he's just so aggressive in the tackle.

"I mean, he's a flyhalf, he's supposed to be the player who you want to stand on the ground for most of the time instead of being on the floor.

"He is such a talent; the way he plays, he suits the modern No.10, the type of player that plays right on top of the gain line.

"He's got the physicality, a great skill set, footwork, speed and kicking game. He's got a chance to upset a few of the senior players. Sacha has got to look out for his number."

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