Following an action-packed opening weekend of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season nine days ago, several rising stars have immediately raised their hands as potential breakout players for the new campaign.
The South African top-flight season got underway on Saturday, 1 August, with defending champions Orlando Pirates setting the tone by securing a 2-0 victory over newcomers Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Elsewhere, AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, and Polokwane City FC all opened their campaigns with maximum points. Golden Arrows held Chippa United to a goalless draw, while TS Galaxy played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Siwelele FC.
However, it was Kaizer Chiefs who made the biggest statement of the opening round, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory over last season’s Motsepe Foundation Championship winners, Kruger United, at Mbombela Stadium.
This past weekend, MTN8 quarter-finals took centre stage with Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows booking their spots in the semi-finals.
As the campaign gains momentum, FARPost takes a look at five promising young players [Under-23] to keep a close eye on this season.
CEMRAN DANSIN [ORLANDO PIRATES]
The SA youth international produced a Man of the Match performance in Pirates’ win over Milford, putting on a show in the middle of the park. Dansin earned a start in central midfield alongside Bafana Bafana international Thalente Mbatha.
The School of Excellence graduate was used sparingly in the previous campaign, but he consistently demonstrated his quality whenever called upon by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Dansin notably picked up the Betway Premiership Goal of the Season award last term for his scorching strike against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
SIPHESIHLE JEZA [SIWELELE FC]
Jeza has quickly become a nightmare for defenders since stepping up from Siwelele FC’s DStv Diski Challenge side. He first announced himself on the senior stage in April 2026 by scoring his maiden top-flight goal against Chiefs.
He picked up right where he left off in the opening match of the new season, netting Siwelele’s opener and cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
LUKE BAARTMAN [KAIZER CHIEFS]
Much like Dansin, Baartman bagged a Man of the Match award during Chiefs’ 3-1 victory in the league against Kruger after earning a rare start.
The versatile attacker endured a quiet debut campaign at Chiefs in 2025/26 following his transfer from Cape Town Spurs. However, against Kruger, Baartman was a constant threat on the attack. Under new management, he looks poised to become a secret weapon for the Naturena-based outfit.
KABELO KGOSITSILE [ORLANDO PIRATES]
The explosive winger signed with Pirates in July 2025 before returning to Baroka FC on a season-long loan. Kgositsile rejoined the Buccaneers for the current campaign to fight for a place in Abdeslam Ouaddou’s squad.
Despite missing out on the club’s pre-season tour to Spain, the 21-year-old remains firmly in the technical team’s plans. Coming on as a second-half substitute for Bafana Bafana star Oswin Appollis in Pirates’ league opener, Kgositsile terrorised the Milford defence with his pace and skill, sending a clear message about his potential impact this season.
SELULEKO MAHLAMBI [TS GALAXY]
Following a promising maiden season in the Betway Premiership, Mahlambi is one of the youngsters who could deliver eye-catching performances in the 2026/27season. The pacey winger has already proved his qualities in the colours of TS Galaxy in the previous season, where he earned a nomination for the Young Player of the Season in the 2026 PSL awards.
This season, the 21-year-old is under pressure to elevate his game and become a key player for head coach Bernard Parker at the Rockets. Mahlambi gained promotion to the Galaxy senior team from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side at the start of the 2025/26 season.
SIVIWE NKWALI [STELLENBOSCH FC]
Since joining Stellenbosch FC over a year ago, the 21-year-old is yet to establish himself as a regular starter despite proving his qualities with his former side Cape Town Spurs.
Nkwali has already tasted success at a young age after winning the 2025 Under-20 AFCON with South Africa in Egypt. With all the potential, this could be the season for the Cape Town-born youngster to have a big impact at Stellies.
HLUMELO MANDLA [GOLDEN ARROWS]
The former Siwelele FC attacker recently made a jump to the elite league after signing with Golden Arrows in the current transfer window.
Before joining Arrows, Mandla was in the colours of Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC, where he showcased his qualities. Mandla spent the second round of the previous campaign with Bafana Ba Gucci, having signed in 2026 January transfer window from Siwelele’s DStv Diski Challenge side.
After Arrows beat competition from KZN rivals Durban City for the services of the youngster, he could go on to be one of the best performers of the 2026/27 season.
HEAVEN SEREETSI [KRUGER UNITED]
Having made a name for himself in the Varsity Cup with North-West University [NWU], Sereetsi has been on an upward trajectory over the past few years.
The talented player spent the past two seasons with Cape Town City FC before recently joining Betway Premiership new boys Kruger United.
NEO RAPOO [ORLANDO PIRATES]
The highly rated left-back is one of the notable new faces at Pirates, arriving with a lot of excitement to boost the Bucs squad with his defensive and attacking qualities.
Although he faces a mammoth task competing with veteran Deon Hotto and Nkosikhona Ndaba for the wing-back position in the starting line-up, Rapoo has all the attributes to become Pirates’ key player this season.
LANGELIHLE PHILI [KAIZER CHIEFS]
After recently joining Chiefs from Stellenbosch, Phili is expected to play a major role under head coach Fernando Da Cruz.
The right-footed winger came on as a second-half substitute in Chiefs’ disappointing 1-0 defeat against Golden Arrows in the MTN8 and instantly became a live wire in attack.
While his attacking spark couldn’t help Amakhosi advance to the next round of the top-eight competition, the 21-year-old proved that he will form an integral part of the Soweto giants in the current campaign.
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