Given all the subplots, nobody would have blamed Yaqeen Ahmed if he struggled.
The Stormers’ clash in Cape Town on Friday night was massive for all involved, but particularly so for the Wynberg Boys’ High product.
Not only did he make his Stormers debut, but he did so against the All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett his direct opponent. Add in there the fact that he is already in Bok-flyhalves-for-the-future discussions, and the occasion was amplified. So too, of course, was the pressure.
Despite it all, despite facing the haka and running out in his first senior match for the Stormers, he appeared remarkably composed in his performance.
You never want to put too much pressure on a young player by expecting too much too soon, but how can you not after that display?
