As the dust settles on the MTN8 quarterfinals and the Betway Premiership season kicks off, many are wondering if this is the year Stellenbosch FC’s successful model comes crashing down.
While the club has been hailed as one of the best-run in the PSL, their identity as a selling club has led to a significant exodus of key players, leaving some to question their ability to remain competitive.
Read: Is AmaZulu a Team to Watch This Season?
Stellies have consistently managed to finish in the top half of the table, even securing a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup last season.
With that in mind, this was achieved despite a steady flow of star players departing for bigger clubs.
This offseason has been no different, with club captain Fawaaz Basadien heading to Mamelodi Sundowns, and previous club captain Deano van Rooyen moving to Orlando Pirates just a year prior.
These moves follow a pattern that has seen stars like Junior Mendieta and Ashley Du Preez also make big moves in recent seasons.
To fill these gaps, Stellenbosch has brought in several new faces. However, their ability to get these players on the field is already facing hurdles. Two foreign signings, Turan Mantov and Henri Stanic, are still awaiting work permits, while Nigerian midfielder Ibrahim Jabaar is also dealing with paperwork issues.
There’s also been a hitch in registering striker Muzomuhle Khanyi, the top scorer in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season, who the club hopes will solve their long-standing goal-scoring problems.
While the club showed grit in their MTN8 quarterfinal win against AmaZulu, the victory also highlighted some of their vulnerabilities.
Stellenbosch is in a transitional phase, and the administrative delays combined with the sheer number of new players joining the squad could test their depth and cohesion.
The coming season will be a true test of their mettle and whether they can continue to defy expectations despite their constant player turnover.