A breakdown of players' ages in the DStv Premiership

Royal AM have the largest percentage of players over the age of 30 in the DStv Premiership with 45 per cent of their squad in that category, a survey of players in the topflight of South African football shows.

A breakdown of the ages of the players who have been fielded this season by the 16 top flight clubs also shows that Cape Town City and near neighbours Stellenbosch FC have the highest percentage of players aged under 20.

But with City at only 14 per cent and Stellenbosch on 11 per cent, it is still a small number, confirming that South African clubs do not have a penchant for bringing on young players into the first team.

There are five clubs who have not used a single player under the age of 20 this season, namely Lamontville Golden Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, Orlando Pirates and Swallows FC.

Arrows do, however, have a high percentage of players between the age of 20-24 with 30 per cent, the same as Chiefs. SuperSport United have 48 per cent of their players between 20-24, followed by Chippa with 42 per cent.

Champions Sundowns have the highest percentage of players aged between 25-29, when they are regarded in their prime. That is one per cent more than Arrows, who have 65 per cent of their players between 25 and 29 years old.

Arrows are also the team with the least number of players aged over 30.