Orlando Pirates have officially announced the blockbuster signing of Bafana Bafana international winger, Oswin Appollis.
The 23-year-old joins the Buccaneers for an undisclosed fee from Polokwane City, marking a significant acquisition for the Soweto giants and becoming their eighth official signing of the transfer window.
Appollis’s move to Orlando Pirates culminates a remarkable ascent in his career. He joined Polokwane City in July 2023 from Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Pretoria Callies.
In just two years with Rise & Shine, Appollis’s talent truly blossomed, earning him a coveted spot in Hugo Broos’s Bafana Bafana squad and establishing him as a regular for the national team.
Last season, he was even linked with a move to Algerian powerhouse MC Alger, but Polokwane City’s boss, Johnny Mogaladi, firmly held his ground.
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For Appollis, this transfer to Orlando Pirates represents the “bigger stage” he has openly yearned for, stepping up from Polokwane City to a club with immense domestic and continental ambitions.
This move was particularly timely as Appollis was entering the final 12 months of his contract with Polokwane City, making this transfer window the last opportunity for City to secure a transfer fee before he could sign a pre-contract with another club in January 2026.
Appollis’s journey to the top tier has been one of perseverance. After struggling during his time at SuperSport United, he found a new lease on life at Pretoria Callies. This proved to be the pivotal first step in his resurgence, ultimately leading to his call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad while at Polokwane City and, subsequently, making him a highly sought-after transfer target.
During his two seasons with Polokwane City, Appollis made 59 appearances, showcasing his attacking prowess with nine goals and six assists.
He will now look to replicate and even exceed that form while donning the iconic black and white colours of the Sea Robbers, as Orlando Pirates aim to strengthen their squad for upcoming domestic and CAF Champions League campaigns.