The DStv Diski Challenge is proving a fertile breeding ground for top young talent in the South African game, as evidenced by the number of young stars who have graduated to the top flight.
We pick 10 who have excelled this season and look to have bright futures in the game.
OSWIN ANDRIES (STELLENBOSCH FC)
Defender Andries made his Stellenbosch debut last season but it is really this year that he has become something of a regular in the side. He bagged his first professional goal in a 3-1 win over Royal AM in August and has continued to be an important part of the Stellies setup since. He has made eight appearances.
MERVIN BOJI (STELLENBOSCH FC)
Striker Boji has made his big breakthrough this year, having finished as the top-scorer at the Bayhill Cup competition in 2022. He recently netted his first goal in a 4-1 loss at Orlando Pirates, and also started the epic 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Cape Town City this past weekend. He has 11 appearances in all.
WANDILE DUBA (KAIZER CHIEFS)
A new name for Kaizer Chiefs fans, Duba made his AmaKhosi debut in the 2-0 victory at Lamontville Golden Arrows on New Years’ Eve. He has made two more substitute appearances since then. The Lenasia-born forward was named Attacker of the Tournament in the DStv Diski Shield Cup last year, and also named the club's Most Improved Player. He scored six goals and was the leading forward in the Engen Champions of Champions. It will be interesting to see how the arrival of Christian Saile at Naturena affects his progress.
JEROME KARELSE (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
Karelse has yet to make his Sundowns debut, but just to get into the match-day 18 is a huge achievement given the embarrassment of riches available at Chloorkop. He clearly must be some player. He was on the bench for the recent wins over TS Galaxy and Sekhukhune United and will be eager to earn his first minutes. He might have done so already had a long-term injury not kept him sidelined until recently. He was previously the first player to score a brace in three consecutive DStv Diski Challenge matches.
OLWETHU MAKHANYA (STELLENBOSCH FC)
Another of the young brigade at Stellies is centre-back Makhanya, who has been a regular starter this season in what is his debut year in the South African top flight. He had a baptism of fire in his first appearance, the 3-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in October in which the AmaKhosi were handed three penalties. He came off the bench in that game but has started nine games since.
CASSIUS MAILULA (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
The pick of the lot, Mailula has been simply sensational for Sundowns since making his debut against Chippa United in September. He has six goals in seven starts in competitive football since then and has featured in 13 games overall. He also starred in the Carling Black Label Cup with a further three goals. The 21-year-old hails from Limpopo and clearly has a huge future in the South African game. He had been in the Sundowns academy since 2016.
THAPELO MASEKO (SUPERSPORT UNITED)
Maseko made his debut for SuperSport in the 2021-22 season but this has been his breakthrough year where he has really stamped his authority on the side. He has 13 appearances in all, scoring a couple of goals, and was the stand-out player in the recent Tshwane Derby against Mamelodi Sundowns. He had also netted against them in the reverse fixture in September.
JAEDIN RHODES (CAPE TOWN CITY)
Rhodes is also in his second season in the first team but was still a huge part of the Diski set-up in the previous campaign. He has flourished since his first game this season against Chippa United in October and is likely to feature even more heavily in the remainder of the season. The attacking midfielder is still a teenager at just 19 years of age.
KAMOGELO SEBELEBELE (TS GALAXY)
Winger Sebelebele debuted towards the end of last season but has since played in 18 of Galaxy’s 19 DStv Premiership matches in this campaign, underlining his importance to the team. He has yet to grab his first goal, though he plays in a team with a defensive set-up, but that is surely only a matter of time. He was also a real star of Galaxy’s Diski team.
APHELELE TETO (TS GALAXY)
Another winger in the Galaxy squad, Teto has been equally impressive and featured in 12 games this campaign. Still only 19, he actually debuted last season against Mamelodi Sundowns, but this year he has cemented his place in the side. He was also one of the best players on the pitch when Galaxy downed The Brazilians earlier in this campaign.