We have had one hat-trick so far in the 2022/23 domestic season and it was an unusual one to boot with Kaizer Chiefs’ Burundian forward Caleb Bimenyimana scoring a trio of penalties in an 11-minute spell against Stellenbosch FC.
Bimenyimana’s feat is not quite the fastest hat-trick of all time in the PSL era, that record is held by former Moroka Swallows striker James Chamanga as he completed his in a six-minute spell on his way scoring five against Platinum Stars in the 2007/08 season.
New Mamelodi Sundowns sensation Cassius Mailula also managed a treble this season in their 8-1 CAF Champions League win over hapless Le Passe, but in the domestic game they remain a rare feat.
The only two from the last season both scored by Peter Shalulile in consecutive games for Mamelodi Sundowns on his way to a superb tally of 30 goals in all competitions in the campaign.
He might have had more were it not for an injury-ravaged 2022/23 season, though he is not fit again and looks to be firing on all cylinders.
He will be hoping to climb the list of players with most hattricks in the PSL era, with 170 scored across all competitions, including CAF matches.
Those have been netted by 117 different players, with only 32 managing to repeat the feat, a list Shalulile has now joined.
The undisputed hat-trick king from the last 27 years is former Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu striker Pollen Ndlanya, who managed six.
Two of those came in the colours of the AmaKhosi against Cape Town Spurs, while he also netted against Hellenic and Mother City, showing his liking for Cape Town clubs. His others came against AmaZulu and Witbank Aces.
The late Richard Henyekane was an underrated striker and managed five hat-tricks in his career, three coming in the colours of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
That was a feat matched by legendary Mozambican forward Tico-Tico, who netted three hat-tricks for Jomo Cosmos and two for SuperSport United, one of which came in the Tshwane Derby against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The late Keryn Jordan, Anthony Laffor and Daniel Mudau all managed four hat-tricks in the PSL era.
Henyakane is the only player to score a hat-trick against Chiefs, something he managed for Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout in 2008/09. He netted three hat-tricks that campaign, the most by a player in a single season.
The only players to score three times in one game against Pirates are Nkosinathi Nhleko (for Jomo Cosmos) and Mogakolodi Ngele (Platinum Stars).
In terms of the top marksmen we have seen in the PSL era, Shalulile, Jeremy Brockie, Collins Mbesuma and Jerry Sikhosana all managed two hattricks, while the likes of Khama Billiat, Bradley Grobler and Bernard Parker are all stuck on one.
HAT-TRICKS IN THE PSL ERA (all competitions)
6 - Pollen Ndlanya
5 - Richard Henyekane, Tico-Tico
4 - Keryn Jordan, Anthony Laffor, Daniel Mudau
3 - Esau Kanyenda, Mabhudi Khenyeza, Alton Meiring, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Sibusiso Zuma
2 - Lennox Bacela, Jeremy Brockie, Raphael Chukwu, Ayanda Dlamini, Kermit Erasmus, Jean-Marc Ithier, Bongolethu Jayiya, Kaizer Motaung Jnr, Collins Mbesuma, Gabadinho Mhango, John Moshoeu, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Nyasha Mushekwi, Lungisani Ndlela, Tendai Ndoro, Nkosinathi Nhleko, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Abram Raselemane, Lucas Sebona, Peter Shalulile, Jerry Sikhosana
1 - Brian Amidu, Bradley August, Jean-Paul Bang Penda, Khama Billiat, Caleb Bimenyimana, Alois Bunjira, Collins Chabalala, James Chamanga, Takesure Chinyama, Serge Djiehoua, Bienvenu Eva Nga, Bradley Grobler, Thiyekile Gulwa, Tony Ilodigwe, Erwin Isaacs, Chris Katongo, Jimmy Kauleza, James Keene, Hlompho Kekana, Daine Klate, Fagrie Lakay, Thabang Lebese, Duncan Lechesa, Richard Lishivha, Thapelo Liau, Denis Lota, Aaron Lubunda, Lebogang Maboe, Petros Mahlatsi, Cassius Mailula, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Simon Makhubela, Frank Makua, Mpho Maleka, Patrick Malokase, Edward Manqele, Lebogang Manyama, Rhulani Manzini, Simba Marumo, Katlego Mashego, Charlton Mashumba, Patrick Mayo, Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Gary McNab, Siyabonga Mkhwanazi, Thobani Mncwango, David Modise, Tsweu Mokoro, Matthews Mokotjo, Bryce Moon, Surprise Moriri, Gift Motupa, Katlego Mphela, Siphelele Mthembu, Wilfred Mugeyi, Knowledge Musona, Mwape Musonda, Bunene Ngaduane, Stembiso Ngcobo, Mogakolodi Ngele, Aubrey Ngoma, Dumisani Ngwenya, Mamadou Niang, Kenny Niemach, Tsietsi Nikane, David Notoane, Samir Nurkovic, Nuro, Musa Nyatama, Prince Olomu, Bernard Parker, Johannes Pilusa, Jabu Pule, David Radebe, Eleazar Rodgers, Godfrey Sapula, Gert Schalkwyk, Isaac Shai, Mulondo Sikhwivhilu, Moses Spandeel, Jose Torrealba, Benedict Vilakazi, Sifiso Vilakazi, Mark Williams, Themba Zwane