Simba SC captain Rushine De Reuck has acknowledged the fierce competition for places in the Bafana Bafana centre-back position as he targets a return to the national team.
Speaking exclusively to FARPost during Simba’s mini-camp at The Ranch in Polokwane, the former Mamelodi Sundowns defender expressed his desire to represent South Africa again while praising the current generation of defenders.
The 30-year-old centre-back has been in exceptional form for the Tanzanian giants since joining ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, picking up multiple Man of the Match awards and contributing goals from defence.
Despite his consistent performances in East Africa, De Reuck has struggled to force his way back into the national team setup, having last featured for Bafana Bafana in an international friendly against Angola in November 2022.
South Africa currently boasts deep talent in the central defensive department, with emerging options such as Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi establishing themselves on the international stage.
RUSHINE DE REUCK REACTS TO BAFANA BAFANA DEFENSIVE COMPETITION
“If we must be honest, in the centre-back roles, currently we’ve got good players,” De Reuck told FARPost.
The former Maccabi Petah Tikva defender admitted that the standard set by younger South African centre-backs makes earning a recall challenging, but insists he has not given up hope.
“The players who are playing are young and playing at a high level. They are basically competing against top players. But I still have ambitions to play for the national team. Of course, I still think I have the capacity to be able to achieve this,” he added.
“It’s just for me to put my head down and continue to work hard. If it happens, obviously I will be very happy, but if it doesn’t, I am still going to do my best for Simba because I have a responsibility and a contract with them. So that’s where I am at.”
Simba SC finalised their mid-season preparations in Limpopo over the weekend before returning to Tanzanian Premier League action.
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