Cheslin Kolbe welcomes Haashim Pead to the 'team'
It is not a state secret, but rising star Haashim Pead has formally joined the Roc Nation Sports International team.
He joined the global agency that represents Springboks such as Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi, and Jordan Hendrikse.
Bok legend and double World Cup winner Kolbe has not only welcomed Pead to the RNSI team, but also given him some sound advice.
“I am excited for the journey you are embarking on,” Kolbe said, adding: “Enjoy every moment.
“Welcome to the Roc fam, brother.”
* (WATCH as Springbok legend and double World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe shares some advice and words of encouragement with Baby Bok Haashim Pead.….)
A product of the Bo-Kaap and a Bishops-schooled star, Pead has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the South African game over the last couple of years.
The 20-year-old memorably ignited the global game conversation during the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy when he was named Junior Springbok Player of the Year, having shattered records previously held by international icons like France star Antoine Dupont.
Pead’s stats set a new benchmark for scrumhalves at the Under-20 level and earned him an immediate call-up to spend time in the senior Springbok setup.
His clinical decision-making, lightning-quick service, and tactical kicking have made him one of the most highly-rated rising stars in the world, while he has already settled into the senior game as a key performer for the Lions during the ongoing United Rugby Championship.
Pead’s potential has clearly caught the eye of the national selectors, and after spending time at another Springbok alignment camp earlier this year, many believe he could make his Test debut in the near future.
“Haashim is a generational talent whose work ethic and technical ceiling are truly exceptional,” said Tamsanqa Ncwana, RNSI’s Head of Rugby Recruiting in South Africa and soon to qualify as a player agent.
As Pead follows in the footsteps of several other Springboks by joining Roc Nation Sports International, there is ever-increasing excitement about what the next phase of his career will hold.
Speaking about the announcement, Pead stated: “Joining the Roc Nation Sports International family is an exciting moment for me. Watching the impact they have had on the careers and lives of players I look up to, made this an easy decision.
“I’m proud of my roots in the Bo-Kaap, and as I take the next steps in my career, I’m excited to have a world-class team behind me as I look to achieve my goals both on and off the field.”
President of Roc Nation Sports International, Michael Yormark, concluded by saying: “At Roc Nation Sports International, we look for athletes who not only excel on the pitch but also possess the character to inspire the next generation.
“Haashim’s journey as a professional rugby player is a story that will resonate throughout South Africa, and we look forward to supporting him to reach his full potential.”
Yormark told @JanDKrugby that Pead ‘fits really well’ into what they are building at RNSI.
“He feels the value we bring to a player is something he would connect with,” the Roc Nation boss said.
“He wants to be the best at what he does, and that is the mindset that we look for at Roc Nation.”
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
