Why Yaqeen Ahmed could be a Bok bolter

With injuries to Handre Pollard and Vusi Moyo, don’t be surprised to see Yaqeen Ahmed as a Springbok flyhalf bolter for the end-of-year tour to Europe for the Nations Championship in November.

Ahmed has made three appearances so far for the Stormers this season, with one start at No. 10 in a loss to Edinburgh in round two.

On Saturday, Ahmed came off the bench against Scarlets, with his two tries in the final few minutes sealing a helter-skelter win for the Cape-based franchise, as injuries took their toll.

Ahmed slotted into flyhalf with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu covering fullback.

Speaking after the match, Ahmed praised the influence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu in those final few minutes.

"There's nothing better than playing at Cape Town Stadium and for the Stormers. I'm just happy to be back in the team and get that last 20 minutes," Ahmed said.

"The last 20 minutes was really difficult in terms of all the injuries happening, but I'm just glad that I could play my game."

"Having those voices in my ear, like Sacha when I came on, it made such a big difference for me in terms of decision-making," he said.

"I believe I can only get better.”

There’s no denying that Ahmed is a special talent, and playing with the likes of Damian Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu will add to his game.

That’s something he knows too.

"It's a privilege that the Boks are in the set-up because you get to learn from them and what they're bringing,” Ahmed noted.

"Whatever info I can get, whether it's from Sacha or Damian Willemse, I'm taking it with both hands because I know it'll be for the betterment of my future."

"They take the time to be with you. It's like they're investing in you, because you're really working together."

With Stormers coach John Dobson saying that Feinberg-Mngomezulu will probably get a rest this weekend against Ulster, Ahmed will have another chance to stake his claim at flyhalf... and a chance to tour with the Boks.