Even if the Currie Cup is without various stars who play in the United Rugby Championship (URC), 20-year-old Western Province scrumhalf Imad Khan is relishing rugby at a senior level.
He is eager to continue to learn as much as possible behind the WP pack of forwards in the local tournament.
A product of WP’s junior system and a former South African Under-20 star, the nippy No 9 has put in some quality displays in some tough matches to show the coaches at the Stormers that he can take the scrumhalf mantle in future.
Khan recently scored his first try in Province colours against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, and said he has learnt so much already in his first full senior campaign.
But he will continue to take in as much as possible while trying to help the side win matches in South Africa’s oldest domestic competition.
“You just keep learning because you are playing at a high level,” Khan said about his baptism of fire in the Currie Cup.
“It’s always special, and a massive privilege to get the four starts in a tournament like the Currie Cup.
“I am trying to grab this opportunity with both hands, and just learn as much as I can each week I get to play.
“We’ve played four tough matches, and it’s against teams with Springbok players.”
With the likes of World Cup winner Herschel Jantjies, Paul de Wet and Stefan Ungerer as senior scrumhalves at the Stormers, Khan said he doesn’t have to look further than them for inspiration.
He said that they are all world-class nines from whom he can pick up a few tricks.
“You feed off and learn from each player, and try to improve ... whatever part I can improve on in my game,” he said.
“The way the game is going all over the world and especially in Europe, the kicking from the base and exiting from nine has developed a huge amount.
“Exiting off your nine has become quite important. We have put a lot of time, effort and practice into that to execute during a match.
“So, seeing results is satisfying, but it can still develop. I still have a long way to go, especially looking at tougher games at higher standards. I have to keep on working and improving on my fundamentals.”
Khan is expected to be the scrumhalf in charge again as WP take on the Griffons at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.15pm start).
The home side will look for their second win in the Currie Cup after double losses against the Bulls and one against the Cheetahs in the first four games, with only a 64-15 triumph over the Griffons in Welkom to crow about.