“Complete Hogwash”: Dobson Shatters Record Transfer Rumours Surrounding Pead

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has poured cold water on reports linking Lions scrumhalf Haashim Pead with a move to Cape Town, insisting that the figures being circulated around a potential transfer are “way off”.

Pead has emerged as a player the Stormers would like to have in their squad, but Dobson stressed that the 21-year-old remains under contract with the Lions and that the Cape-based club has no intention of disrespecting that agreement.

“Hashim is a guy we would like at the Stormers. He would like to come, but he is under contract with the Lions,” Dobson said.

“Conversations are happening, but certainly nothing like the figures being quoted.”

Reports had suggested that a potential move could involve a South African record transfer fee, with Siya Kolisi’s return to Cape Town also being cited in the discussion. However, Dobson was emphatic in dismissing those claims.

“Firstly, regarding the transfer fee, the Siya fee is complete hogwash. We didn’t pay a transfer fee for Siya,” he said.

Dobson explained that transfer fees are not traditionally part of rugby’s culture in the same way they are in football, although players can sometimes negotiate buy-outs from their existing contracts.

“Sometimes we associate it with UK football, but transfer fees aren’t really a culture in rugby. Sometimes a player can buy out his contract,” Dobson explained.

While the Stormers would welcome Pead should he become available, Dobson made it clear that the decision ultimately rests with the player and the Lions.

“Hash is employed by the Lions and has a relationship with the Lions. We are not going to the Lions and asking for Haashim Pead, although we would love to have him should he become available,” Dobson added.

“Whether he becomes available is a decision for him and the Lions.”

Dobson acknowledged that there is some substance to the speculation but suggested that the situation is far from a completed deal.

“There is some smoke, but it’s not a full-blown fire,” he said.

“We absolutely want to respect his contract with the Lions. If the Lions decide to release him, we’ll be at the front of the queue.”

The Stormers had also been linked with the possibility of Pead joining them on their tour, but Dobson dismissed that suggestion.

“There was talk of him coming on our tour, but certainly not,” he confirmed.

The Stormers’ interest in Pead comes as they manage changes to their scrumhalf department following the injury to Imad Khan and the retirement of Dewaldt Duvenage.

Despite those setbacks, Dobson believes the Stormers have options.

“We are super happy with Jayden Brits and Ezekiel Ngobeni, and Andre Warner of the Seattle Seawolves has been training with us due to our co-operation agreement with them, so we could do a loan agreement with Seattle,” he said.

The return of veteran Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will also provide the Stormers with further depth.

“Cobus Reinach will be back, but Immy’s injury was just a blow,” Dobson added.

Dobson also pointed to the previously reported transfer of Ruben van Heerden to Montpellier as another indication of why he believes the figures attached to Pead are unrealistic.

“There was talk of a transfer fee for Ruben Van Heerden to Montpellier, which wasn’t even as much as what was quoted for Haashim – that’s a French club buying a Springbok. You can imagine that figure doesn’t exist for a South African Under-20 player,” he said.

“The figures are way off.”

For now, Pead remains a Lions player, while the Stormers continue to assess their options at scrumhalf.

Dobson’s comments, however, make it clear that should the talented youngster become available, the Stormers would be keen to make their interest formal.