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Junior Springbok to face All Blacks in Feinburg-Mngomezulu's absence

Yaqeen Ahmed scoring a try for South Africa's Under-20s team against Australia in May.
Yaqeen Ahmed scoring a try for South Africa's Under-20s team against Australia in May.GALLO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

World junior champion Yaqeen Ahmed ⁠has been handed a senior debut by the Stormers and will ‌play at flyhalf against New Zealand on ‌Friday, after the Cape Town-based ‌side on Wednesday named their team to ‌take on the touring side.

Ahmed ‌was the star performer for the Junior Springboks when they won the ‌Under-20 World Championship in Tbilisi ⁠last month ‌and is handed a stiff test of his ​ability as the All Blacks begin their eight-match tour ​of South Africa.

The 20-year-old gets his chance because Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu is ⁠away with ​the Springboks, who play Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, and Jurie Matthee is injured.

The loose-forward trio of ‌Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie is the same combination that started the United Rugby Championship final four years ago when the Stormers won the title.

Outside centre Ruhan Nel will captain the team.

Stormers team to face All Blacks:

Starters: 15-Warrick Gelant, 14-Seabelo Senatla, 13-Ruhan Nel (captain), ‌12-Jonathan Roche, 11-Leolin Zas, 10-Yaqeen Ahmed, ​9-Imad Khan, 8-Evan Roos, 7-Hacjivah Dayimani, ‌6-Deon Fourie, 5-Connor Evans, 4-Adré Smith, 3-Neethling Fouché, 2-André-Hugo Venter, 1-Vernon Matongo

Replacements: 16-JJ Kotzé, 17-Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18-Sazi Sandi, 19-Ruan Ackermann, 20-Keke Morabe, ⁠21-Wandile Mlaba, ⁠22-Dewaldt Duvenage, 23-Wandisile ‌Simelane.

All Blacks team:

Starters: 15-Josh Moorby, 14-Leroy Carter, 13-Billy Proctor, ​12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 11-Rieko Ioane, 10-Beauden Barrett, 9-Cortez ‌Ratima, 8-Wallace Sititi, 7-Peter Lakai, 6-Simon Parker, 5-Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4-Fabian Holland, 3-Pasilio Tosi, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1-George Bower

Replacements: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Siale Lauaki, 19-Sam Darry, 20-Ethan Blackadder, 21-Kyle ⁠Preston, 22-Josh ⁠Jacomb, 23-Caleb Clarke.

The All Blacks are embarking upon their first full tour of South Africa since 1996! Marketed as the 'Greatest Rivalry' series, the winner will come out not only with the bragging rights but World Rugby's number one ranking. Keep up to date throughout August and September with news, previews and more. 

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