Stellenbosch FC changing the face of the beautiful game, one step at a time

By the time you read this, Stellenbosch FC’s fate in the CAF Confederation Cup would already have been decided.

Either Steve Barker and his charges are still celebrating after the club’s most famous night in Cairo, or the men in maroon have left the mythical land of pyramids and pharaohs with their tails between their legs.

But regardless of the outcome against Zamalek at the imposing Cairo National Stadium, Stellenbosch FC are the real game-changers of South African football.

Mamelodi Sundowns are undoubtedly the pacesetters.

The Brazilians are simply on another level – both in terms of resources and how best they utilise it to full effect.

Their qualification on Tuesday evening for yet another CAF Champions League semi-final is no fluke.

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, of course, will always have their legacy, although the Amakhosi’s barren run will only be tolerated by their long-suffering supporters for so long.

And this is what brings me to Stellenbosch FC. As a professional football club, they should still have their training wheels on after only six years in the elite Premiership. 

But unlike contemporaries such as Royal AM, who tried to run before they could even crawl, Stellenbosch FC have taken each step in their stride.

Of course, Stellies are backed up by billionaire Johann Rupert’s REMGRO and their Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS), but at no stage was the club handed a blank cheque to spend with gay abandon.

Instead, the club’s primary mandate under business savvy chief executive Rob Benadie was to become self-sustainable.

That could only be achieved through gaining promotion to the Premiership, after starting out in the National First Division in 2016/17.

It took just two seasons for Stellenbosch to be crowned NFD champions in 2018/19.

The next step was to maintain their Premiership status, which came under clear and present danger in the 2020/21 season when Stellies missed the dreaded drop to the NFD playoffs by just two points.

But with Stellenbosch’s commitment to developing the local talent in the Cape Winelands region, it was only a matter of time before they would start reaping the fruits of their labour.

Local heroes started emerging, such as Ashley du Preez, Jayden Adams, Deano van Rooyen and Olwethu Makhanya, along with the homecoming of Western Cape-born players such as Fawaaz Basadien and Iqraam Rayners creating a solid core.

That ultimately led Stellies to their first-ever silverware in the top-flight, when they lifted the Carling Cup title after near misses in both the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.

Stellies have also maintained their league form despite their successful cup runs, which led to a best-ever third-place finish and qualification for a maiden CAF Confederation Cup adventure.

The success no doubt attracted the attention of rival clubs, with Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs swooping in for some of Stellies’ home-grown talent, leading to a few high-profile exits each season.

But such is the stability at the club that they have managed to absorb these departures. 

And a lot of that is due to the solid relationship between Benadie and his long-serving coach Barker. 

The trust factor, which has only grown stronger over the years between these two, has played a significant role in Stellenbosch’s success. 

The duo stood firm in singing from the same hymn sheet when they sent former Kaizer Chiefs star duo Kgaogelo Sekgota and Darrel Matsheke packing due to ill-discipline, despite Sekgota playing a major role in the Carling Cup success.

Equally, their compassion overflowed when they mourned Oswin Andries together after the 20-year-old midfielder was tragically stabbed to death.

It is these pillars that have set Stellenbosch FC apart. And they are now ready to take the next major step.

The recently announced R395 million development of the Van der Stel Sports Complex in Stellenbosch will transform the area and elevate the club to an entirely different level.

The plans include a 5,000-seater football stadium – upgradable to 10 000 seats in future phases – four international standard full-size grass football fields, six multi-purpose small-sided fields/courts, and a sports high school for 200 learners, with a 150-bed residence for student-athletes, plus a 300-metre grass athletics track. 

A picturesque town that was once famed only for its regal rugby status is certainly changing the beautiful game for the better.