Ahmed handed Stormers debut as Dobson compares him with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Yaqeen Ahmed will make his first start for the Stormers at fly-half against the All Blacks on Friday, with coach John Dobson backing the rising youngster to handle what could be an 80-minute challenge against New Zealand veteran Beauden Barrett.

Ahmed has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months, having played a starring role for the Junior Springboks as they retained their World Rugby U20 World Championship title in Georgia.

The 10 will now face Barrett, who has earned more than 140 caps for New Zealand, in a baptism of fire at Cape Town Stadium.

Asked about Ahmed’s selection ahead of the match, Dobson said the young fly-half had progressed more quickly than expected and compared his qualities with those shown by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu when he broke into the Stormers side in 2022.

“He’s come through much faster than we thought,” Dobson noted.

“He did so well for SA U20s; that exposure. One’s loath to make comparisons, but it reminds me of a few years ago when Sacha was coming through.

“The same commitment, composure, and excitement.”

“He’s pleasantly surprised us, and I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for him.”

The Stormers have named no specialist fly-half among their replacements. Dobson confirmed that Dewaldt Duvenhage will provide cover at both scrum-half and fly-half, meaning Ahmed is expected to remain on the field for most, if not all, of the contest.

“He’s in for a big shift, hopefully 80 minutes,” Dobson confirmed.

Barrett also spoke positively about Ahmed earlier in the week. The Stormers youngster has previously said he viewed the All Blacks’ fly-half as a player whose game he could try to emulate.

“I feel honoured that I was once looked up to by him,” Barrett told reporters earlier in the week.

“It’s pretty cool that we have a chance to go head-to-head, and I will certainly make sure that I chat to him after the game and share a cold drink with him afterwards because he’s certainly the future.

“With him and Sacha, I guess the Stormers are in pretty good hands going forward,” Barrett said.

Friday’s match at Cape Town Stadium begins at 19:00.

The All Blacks will start with Josh Moorby at full-back, supported in the back three by Leroy Carter and Rieko Ioane. Billy Proctor and Anton Lienert-Brown form the midfield, while Barrett starts at fly-half alongside Cortez Ratima at scrum-half.

Peter Lakai, Anton Segner and Simon Parker make up the loose forwards, with Patrick Tuipulotu captaining the side from the second row alongside Fabian Holland. The front row consists of Pasilio Tosi, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Bower.

The New Zealand replacements are Asafo Aumua, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Kyle Preston, Josh Jacomb and Caleb Clarke.

For the Stormers, Warrick Gelant starts at full-back, with Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas on the wings. Ruhan Nel captains the team from outside centre, partnered by Jonathan Roche, while Ahmed and Imad Khan form the half-back pairing.

Evan Roos, Hacjivah Dayimani and Deon Fourie are the loose-forward combination. Connor Evans and Adre Smith provide the lock pairing, with Neethling Fouche, Andre-Hugo Venter and Vernon Matongo in the front row.

The Stormers’ replacements are JJ Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sazi Sandi, Ruan Ackermann, Keke Morabe, Wandile Mlaba, Dewaldt Duvenhage and Wandisile Simelane.