
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has addressed the club’s growing reputation for developing young talent and preparing them for bigger stages.
Rather than seeing themselves as a “selling club,” Barker views the model as a core strength that benefits both the team and South African football as a whole.
Read: Lucas Ribeiro Costa takes Mamelodi Sundowns to the FIFA Tribunal seeking contract termination
A Pipeline of Talent
Stellenbosch has become a consistent factory for top-tier players, with several key departures this transfer window alone.
Fawaaz Basadien moved to Mamelodi Sundowns, Tylon Smith joined Queens Park Rangers’ U21s in England, Sihle Nduli signed for Orlando Pirates, and Olivier Toure secured a transfer to the UAE Pro League.
This trend is nothing new for the Winelands club. They have a history of producing stars who go on to succeed at the PSL’s top clubs, including Zitha Kwinika and Ashley du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs), Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates), and Jayden Adams (Sundowns).
A Necessary Part of the Process
For Barker, allowing players to move on is a natural part of their development. “Certain players reach a stage where it’s the right time to move on,” he said. “It’s important to provide these opportunities. In doing so, we are helping South African football at large.”
Barker drew a comparison to smaller European clubs that supply elite teams with talent, explaining that when a big opportunity arises, it’s difficult to stand in a player’s way. This philosophy allows Stellenbosch to maintain a steady stream of talent while remaining competitive in the league.
MTN8 Semi-Final Showdown
Stellenbosch’s immediate focus now shifts to the MTN8 semi-final. They will face Sekhukhune United in the second leg on Saturday, August 23, with kickoff scheduled for 18h00.
The Western Cape side holds a significant advantage, having won the first leg 2-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium.
To reach the last four, Stellenbosch needed extra time to beat AmaZulu 3-2 in the quarterfinals, while Sekhukhune staged an impressive comeback from two goals down to beat TS Galaxy by the same score.