Stellenbosch FC are writing the story of the 2023/24 season

The story of Stellenbosch FC is one of the most extraordinary of this 2023/24 Premier Soccer League season as the club from the Cape Winelands continues to punch above their weight.

They are currently on a 21-game unbeaten run, having already claimed the Carling Knockout title in December, and earning a Nedbank Cup semifinal date with Mamelodi Sundowns.

It will be their fourth semifinal in arow, having only been ousted from the last-4 of the MTN8 on the away goals by Orlando Pirates.

Their 1-0 win over Pirates in the second leg of that tie remains the only time Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro has been beaten outright in a knockout fixture since his arrival in South African football, a run of 18 domestic cup fixtures.

Stellenbosch last lost 203 days ago, or over six months, when they took the lead against Mamelodi Sundowns away from home in the league, but ended up on the end of a 3-1 defeat.

In the six months and 21 days since then, they have beaten Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, provincial rivals Cape Town City twice, recorded their biggest ever win in the Nedbank Cup, 6-1 against Milford FC, and secured their biggest ever victory against a fellow topflight side in Saturday’s 4-0 home success against SuperSport United, albeit that was also in the Nedbank Cup.

They have 14 wins and seven draws, have scored 40 goals and conceded only 10.

They have only conceded more than one goal once in that run, where they came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Pirates in late December.

That defence is getting stronger too, they have conceded just two goals in their last seven games, keeping five clean sheets.

It is hugely impressive and all the numbers suggest a team very much on the up. Outside of Sundowns, no other team can come close to matching these figures this season, which is why they are perhaps favourites to take second place and earn CAF Champions League football next season.

Stellenbosch can go five points clear in second place when they travel to Sekhukhune United, which previously might have seen a daunting task as they struggled outside of the Western Cape. But not anymore.

They have won nine of their last 11 away games (D2) in all competitions, with draws at Chippa United and SuperSport, and have actually taken more points on the road (21) than at home (18) this season. Only Sundowns (3) have conceded fewer than their eight goals in 11 away games.

It is hugely impressive all round and with an experienced coach in Steve Barker, level-headed management, excellent off-field facilities and a strong culture around the team, they may not have reached their ceiling yet.

Barker was particularly impressed with how his side dismantled a very strong SuperSport at the weekend.

“I think it is probably one of the games since I've been at this football club that I can look at and say that this team has matured, they've grown, they've developed,” Barker said. “We didn't only show just fighting quality, we also showed quality with a ball. Some of the play and some of the goals we created some of the goals were top class. I was just really in awe of some of the quality that I witnessed.

“We've got a lot of ambition and a lot to play for in the league as well. Eight league matches … 24 points.”

That league ambition may be a little fanciful. If Stellenbosch win their remaining eight games they will go to 63 points, meaning Sundowns would need just another 10 from their final nine games to be champions.

Maybe not this season, but the way they are building something special, who knows about next year?

STELLENBOSCH FC’S 21-GAME UNBEATEN RUN

Matches are DStv Premiership fixtures unless stated.

Oct 4: Stellenbosch 3-0 TS Galaxy

Oct 21: Chippa United 1-2 Stellenbosch (Carling Knockout L16)

Nov 3: Polokwane City 0-2 Stellenbosch (Carling Knockout QF)

Nov 7: Stellenbosch 2-1 Richards Bay

Nov 11: Chippa United 0-0 Stellenbosch

Nov 25: AmaZulu 0-1 Stellenbosch

Nov 28: Cape Town Spurs 0-3 Stellenbosch

Dec 2: Richards Bay 0-3 Stellenbosch (Carling Knockout SF)

Dec 8: Stellenbosch 1-0 Cape Town City