Hashim Piad may move to the Stormers after Lions coach Ivan van Rensburg's statement

Lions coach Ivan van Ruyen expressed his belief in Hashim Pead's potential, stating that the player could have a significant impact on the team in the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season.

The Lions made it clear that they view the young Springbok Hashim Pead as a future international player, despite attempts by the Stormers to recruit him. This young midfielder was one of the topics discussed before the start of the new URC season after the Stormers put forward a transfer offer, but 21-year-old Pead decided to stay in Johannesburg.

Lions coach Cash van Ruyen believes there is still much for Pead to reveal and promised him a more significant role in the coming season. Van Ruyen noted: 'I am proud of his first season with us. He joined us after the U20 World Cup and did not participate in our pre-season training. But he has played 15 matches with us, which shows some trust from our side. He is an exceptional player.'

Van Ruyen sees Pead as a player capable of changing the course of a match, rather than just occupying a position. He emphasized: 'We want Hashim to create moments of magic for us. He is that kind of player. I am confident he will get more minutes. I am confident he will get more opportunities. I am confident he can become a Springbok with us.'

The Lions deliberately managed Pead's workload during the Currie Cup, as van Ruyen explained that the goal was to prepare the young athlete for the demands of the URC, not just to provide him with domestic appearances. He added: 'We didn't give him too much time in the Currie Cup. We wanted to prepare him and get him in shape for matches against the All Blacks and for the URC, instead of just giving him Currie Cup games.'

The Lions' strong pre-season preparation, which included a daring 41-35 loss to the All Blacks in Johannesburg, raised expectations ahead of the URC. However, Pead is not the only interesting option at the midfield position. Morne van den Berg has established himself in the Springboks squad and may be absent from the Lions for long periods, making squad depth at this position particularly important.

Nico Stein, who is himself a former junior Springbok, also impressed against the All Blacks. Van Ruyen believes that all three midfielders bring something unique. He observed: 'All three have an exceptional X-factor. All three have very good kicking game. You cannot start a season with only one midfielder. They are all different horses for different tasks, different game plans.'

The team's task will be to satisfy all three players while utilizing their contrasting strengths. Van Ruyen concluded: 'Obviously, all players want to start every game. But we must find a way to use them all wisely.'

Tabo Sele's move to Mamelodi Sundowns places the midfielder in an exclusive group of athletes who represented two of South Africa's three biggest clubs.

The club officially announced Sele's signing this week after he left Kaizer Chiefs by mutual agreement to terminate his contract. For Sele himself, this step marks a new important stage in a career that already included stints in Europe and a return to South Africa.

However, his arrival at Chloorkop also puts him in the same league as some of the most famous names who wore both the black-gold colors of Chiefs and the yellow of Sundowns. This list includes players who have won league titles, continental trophies, captained both clubs, and in some cases, become iconic figures in South African football.

From Chiefs to Sundowns—and back

One of the most prominent recent examples is Hama Billiat. The Zimbabwean forward became one of Sundowns' most influential players after moving from Ajax Cape Town in 2013. He was part of the team that won the CAF Champions League in 2016 before transferring to Chiefs in 2018. Billiat's debut for Chiefs was against his former club, ensuring an immediate encounter with Sundowns.

Ramakhwa Mphakhlele also made a direct transfer between these two clubs, moving from Sundowns to Chiefs before the 2016/17 season. The defender spent six seasons at Amakhosi, making 127 official appearances, and captained both clubs throughout his career. He recently stated that despite outstanding periods at Chiefs and Sundowns, his true dream has always been Orlando Pirates.

Another player is George Maluleka, whose transfer was particularly significant because it happened in reverse. After six years and over 130 matches for Chiefs, Maluleka moved to Sundowns in 2020. He managed to win trophies at Chloorkop, although his time there was significantly shorter than his career at Chiefs.

Kagan Dolly followed a similar notable path. After establishing himself as a South African star at Sundowns and helping them win the league title in the 2015/16 season and the CAF Champions League in 2016, Dolly moved to Montpellier and then returned home to Chiefs in 2021.

This list extends further. Among former forwards who represented both clubs are Kenny Niemah, Katlego Mphela, and Derrick Spencer, while Gaston Sirino is another recent example after several years at Sundowns before moving to Chiefs.

Sele now becomes part of this dynasty.

A different challenge awaits Sele

His transfer is also interesting due to the circumstances surrounding it. Sele joined Chiefs only in January 2025 after several years playing in Portugal, Poland, and Russia. He won the Nedbank Cup with Amakhosi and was an important part of the midfield before his departure.

Now he is moving to Sundowns, a team that recently regained its top position in the Betway Premiership and carries the expectations associated with being the reigning CAF Champions League holder. This transfer means that Sele will ultimately play against his former club wearing the colors of one of its main rivals.

This is a test that every player crossing the boundary between Chiefs and Sundowns must face. Some were accepted, others faced suspicion. For some, this transfer defined their entire career.

Sele now has the opportunity to decide which category he belongs to. However, his first task is simpler: to establish himself in the Sundowns squad. If he achieves this, his name will eventually be placed alongside some of the most decorated players who successfully navigated the path between Naturena and Chloorkop.

It is reported that the Safa team is close to signing Arthur Zwein as Pitso Mosimane's second assistant in the 'Bafana Bafana' national team.

Mosimane took over the team leadership at the beginning of this month, replacing Hugo Bruus. He quickly brought on board trusted staff members Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoa, who will continue to share their experience as analyst and physical fitness coach, respectively.

The former 'Mamelodi Sundowns' coach further strengthened his technical team by appointing Moren Ramoreboli as his first assistant after he left the position of head coach of the Botswana national team.

News emerging this week indicates that Zwein is ready to join Mosimane's team on a part-time basis. According to available information, he will continue to lead the 'AmaZulu' team while fulfilling the duties of Mosimane's second assistant. Furthermore, he will oversee the work of the U23 youth team, helping integrate young players into the senior squad.

Zwein has experience working with youth. His impressive period at 'AmaZulu' was a result of nurturing young talents and helping them adapt to the high demands of professional football.

He began his coaching career in the youth structures of 'Kaizer Chiefs', where he played an important role in promoting young players who subsequently moved to Europe or became full members of the senior team.

If Zwein takes this position, he returns to the 'Bafana' squad, as he previously worked as an assistant to the current technical director Molefe Ntseki.

Much has changed since then—after Bruus qualified the team for two continental tournaments in a row and for the World Cup, where they historically reached the 32nd round. Therefore, Mosimane is under pressure to maintain this momentum.

Mosimane will begin his term with the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 30, and four days later he will meet Eritrea at the neutral Al-Salam stadium in Cairo. Then 'Bafana' will conclude the international window with a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4.