Stellenbosch FC: Coach Gavin Hunt, Stadium, Trophies and 2026/27 Fixtures
Stellenbosch FC at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name since | August 2016 (the club was Vasco da Gama before) |
| Nicknames | Stellies, the Maroons |
| Home stadium | Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch (about 16,000 seats) |
| Other venue used | Athlone Stadium, Cape Town |
| Head coach | Gavin Hunt (from 30 December 2025) |
| Chief executive | Rob Benadie |
| Biggest trophy | Carling Knockout, 2023 |
| Best league finish | Third, in 2023/24 and 2024/25 |
| 2025/26 league finish | Ninth |
A Short History
The club began life as Vasco da Gama in Parow, Cape Town. In August 2016 the PSL approved its move to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and a new name, Stellenbosch FC. Steve Barker became head coach in July 2017, and in August 2018 the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport bought the club.
Under Barker, Stellies won the National First Division in 2018/19 and reached the top flight. They finished fourth in 2021/22, then third in both 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The best years under Steve Barker
- 2023: won the Carling Knockout, beating TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
- 2024 and 2025: reached two MTN8 finals in a row and lost both.
- April 2025: beat Zamalek 1-0 in Cairo to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in their first season in the competition. Sihle Nduli scored the goal.
Barker left in December 2025 to coach Simba SC in Tanzania, after more than eight years as head coach.
The Coach: Gavin Hunt
Stellenbosch named Gavin Hunt as head coach on 30 December 2025. His first game was away to Sekhukhune United on 20 January 2026. The team was battling relegation when he arrived, and he steered it to ninth place by the end of 2025/26.
Hunt is one of the most successful coaches in PSL history. The club lists his record as:
- four league titles,
- two Nedbank Cups,
- one MTN8 and one Telkom Knockout,
- six PSL Coach of the Season awards,
- the first coach to reach 1,000 PSL matches.
Before the 2026/27 season, Hunt told the Pretoria News that his aim was to rebuild the squad into a side that can finish in the top eight.
The 2026/27 Season So Far
Stellenbosch started the season without their own ground. In August 2026 Danie Craven Stadium was being prepared for the FISU University World Championship Rugby Sevens (4 to 6 September), and other Cape Town stadiums were booked. The club’s first “home” game, against AmaZulu, was moved to Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 August 2026 | Stellenbosch v AmaZulu (in Durban) | Lost 1-0 |
| 11 August 2026 | Polokwane City v Stellenbosch | Draw 3-3 |
| 14 August 2026 | Stellenbosch v Marumo Gallants | Won 3-1 |
| 26 August 2026 | Golden Arrows v Stellenbosch | Lost 1-0 |
| 1 September 2026 | Durban City v Stellenbosch | Draw 0-0 |
| 11 September 2026 | Stellenbosch v Sekhukhune United | Draw 1-1 |
| 19 September 2026 | Kruger United v Stellenbosch | Won 1-0 |
| 13 October 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v Stellenbosch | Draw 1-1 |
After the games of 17 October 2026, Stellenbosch were seventh with 10 points: two wins, four draws and two defeats. Leaders Mamelodi Sundowns had 23 points from nine games. See the full table in our PSL 2026/27 season guide.
Stellenbosch FC Fixtures Coming Up
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 28 October 2026, 19:00 | Durban City v Stellenbosch, Chatsworth Stadium | Carling Knockout, last 16 |
| Saturday 31 October 2026, 18:00 | Stellenbosch v Chippa United, Danie Craven Stadium | League |
| Friday 27 November 2026 | Stellenbosch v TS Galaxy | League |
| Saturday 5 December 2026 | Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch | League |
| Tuesday 15 December 2026 | Stellenbosch v Milford FC | League |
| Friday 18 December 2026 | Stellenbosch v Mamelodi Sundowns | League |
| Tuesday 16 March 2027 | Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs | League |
| Saturday 22 May 2027 | Milford FC v Stellenbosch | League, last round |
The Chippa United game was first set for Friday 30 October. The club moved it to Saturday 31 October 2026 because of the cup match in Durban earlier that week. Kick-off times for the later games are confirmed closer to the time, so check the club’s website or psl.co.za before you travel. For the cup draw and the other last-16 ties, see our Carling Knockout 2026 guide.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch
Recent league meetings between the two clubs:
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2025 | Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs, Athlone Stadium | Chiefs won 2-0 |
| February 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v Stellenbosch, FNB Stadium | Stellenbosch won 2-1 |
| 13 October 2026 | Kaizer Chiefs v Stellenbosch | Draw 1-1 |
| 16 March 2027 | Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs | Still to play |
In the February 2026 game at FNB Stadium, Devin Titus scored a late winner for Stellies. Read more about Amakhosi in our Kaizer Chiefs guide.
Players to Know
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sage Stephens | Goalkeeper | Number 17 |
| Thabiso Lebitso | Defender | Joined from Orlando Pirates in a swap deal with Mthetheleli Mthiyane |
| Njabulo Blom | Midfielder | On loan from Borneo Samarinda in Indonesia |
| Ashley Du Preez | Forward | Wears the number 10 shirt |
| Bradley Grobler | Forward | Number 67 |
Past winners of the club’s Player of the Season award include Iqraam Rayners (2019 and 2024), Zitha Kwinika (2022) and Fawaaz Basadien (2025).
Trophies and Best Results
| Competition | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Carling Knockout | Winners | 2023 |
| National First Division | Winners | 2018/19 |
| MTN8 | Runners-up | 2024 and 2025 |
| CAF Confederation Cup | Semi-finals | 2024/25 |
| League | Third (club best) | 2023/24 and 2024/25 |
The reserve team has also won the DStv Diski Challenge twice, in 2021/22 and 2023/24.
Where to Watch and Tickets
Stellenbosch’s league and cup matches are shown on SuperSport. The club says the Carling Knockout game against Durban City is on SuperSport PSL, channel 202. Tickets for that match cost R50 and are sold only online through Open Tickets; the club says all its Carling Knockout tickets this season are digital only.
Gavin Hunt’s First Press Conference
Stellenbosch FC Questions
Who is the Stellenbosch FC coach?
Gavin Hunt. The club appointed him on 30 December 2025, after Steve Barker left for Simba SC in Tanzania.
Where do Stellenbosch FC play their home games?
At Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. They have also used Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, and the first home game of 2026/27 was played in Durban.
When is Stellenbosch FC’s next match?
Away to Durban City in the Carling Knockout last 16 on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 19:00, then at home to Chippa United in the league on Saturday 31 October 2026 at 18:00.
What trophies have Stellenbosch FC won?
The 2023 Carling Knockout and the 2018/19 National First Division. They were MTN8 runners-up in 2024 and 2025.
Where is Stellenbosch FC in the log?
Seventh with 10 points from eight games after the matches of 17 October 2026.
When do Stellenbosch play Kaizer Chiefs again?
The return league game is at home on Tuesday 16 March 2027. The first meeting of 2026/27 ended 1-1 on 13 October 2026.
More: PSL 2026/27 season guide, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Carling Knockout 2026.