Unlike in previous seasons, when Betway Premiership teams were hesitant to give young players a chance to showcase their talents—fearing they might struggle at the top level—this year has seen teams embrace the risk, throwing youngsters into the deep end.

Many promising players who excelled in the DStv Diski Challenge—the country's reserve league were promoted by their respective clubs. Some have struggled to adjust to the standard of competition in the top tier.

However, some have flourished, securing spots in their team's starting lineups and even earning national team call-ups, thanks to their outstanding performances.

This significant shift in mindset by PSL teams has been warmly welcomed by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who, upon arriving in South Africa in 2021, immediately raised concerns about the lack of talented young players in the country.

“When I saw the line-ups of the PSL clubs at that time, it was all players around the age of 26 and 28 and older. And if you talked about a young player at that time, people came to me with names of players aged 26 and 27.

"So, I think I started something with the national team and proved that also young players can be very good and can achieve results, and I think that in the clubs, they are following a little bit my example when you see now," the Belgian coach said.

As the curtain falls on the year 2024, IOL Sport's Mthobisi Nozulela takes a closer look at the five young players, who have taken their chances in the PSL this year.

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