Yaqeen Ahmed and Markus Muller's rapid rise from schoolboy rugby to the Springbok squad shows that South Africa's brightest young talents need not wait their turn, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Mark Keohane argues that uncapped Stormers rookies Yaqeen Ahmed and Markus Muller are ready for the international stage. The duo was named in Rassie Erasmus's 37-man Springbok squad for the November Nations Championship. Keohane maintains that their rapid promotion is based on exceptional talent rather than simply an investment in the future or lack of senior options.
Both players starred in the Junior Boks' 16-5 Junior World Championship final victory against France, where 20-year-old flyhalf Ahmed scored 11 points and 19-year-old midfielder Muller scored South Africa's sole try. Keohane supports Erasmus's strategy of exposing promising young talents to Test rugby early alongside experienced internationals to prepare for future World Cup tournaments.
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