Bo Kaap star shooting his way up the ranks

"That is one of the greatest tries you will see from one of the greatest young talents on planet earth right now," said a commentator who summed up Haashim Pead's latest try at the U20 World Championship in Italy.

- TAURIQ HASSEN

After sniping around the corner at a ruck, Pead raced down nearly half a field before sending the English defender the wrong way with a beautifully executed right-footed step and then ending off with a dash to the line for his second try of the match and fourth in this year's championship.

In an exclusive interview from the team hotel room on his 20th birthday, Saturday, July 5, he told GoalMouth: "I haven't really had the chance to think about it yet and I guess it hasn't sunk in just yet."

The boy, raised on Dorp Street, Bo Kaap, born into a rugby-loving family, said being a Springbok was a dream he believes he still needs to wake up from, but lives every day appreciating the moment.

"Not many people get to do what I do, and there are so many who want to be where I am. This is why I want to make the best of this opportunity and keep working hard," he said.