Has Pead done enough to earn more Lions game time?

JUNIOR Springbok scrumhalf star Haashim Pead’s match-winning cameo for the Lions in Saturday's United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks in Durban will only serve to fuel calls for more playing minutes for the World Junior Player of the Year.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

The 20-year-old showed off his great eye for the half-gap with a sniping run and try from close range after collecting the ball off the base of the ruck that gave the visitors a thrilling 23-22 victory in the Shark Tank after the final hooter.

But beyond the exhilaration of snatching a crucial derby victory with his first URC try, the big question for Lions fans now is simple: has Pead done enough to justify more opportunities, not just late-game cameos?

The standout player from the 2025 U20 World Championship — he lit up the tournament with his searing pace and sharp rugby brain as he scored some eye-catching tries and gained serious running metres - came off the bench late in Saturday's contest and needed only a few minutes to once again underline his attacking threat.