Despite selling arguably two of their best players to Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates respectively, the secret to how Stellenbosch continue to thrive has been revealed.
In any other team, losing a quality striker such as Iqraam Rayners, who was crowned the club's 2023/24 Footballer of the Season and team captain Deano Van Rooyen, would, under normal circumstances, put a dent to their immediate ambitions.
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However, Stellies looked to have improved from last season, already reaching their first MTN8 final.
Retired midfielder Brent Carelse, who spent just over half a decade at Cape Town Spurs (previously Ajax Cape Town) , as revealed the secret to the side's upward trajectory.
"Stellenbosch, obviously, their resources are amazing. I think the structure of the club and the way the club is operating is worthy of a professional team," he told KickOff.
"They are based at SAS [Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, a high-performance training environment], where the Springboks train, the Rugby 7s train. So, all the top athletes are basically based there.
"Stellenbosch are there every day, you can imagine the facilities that they have. The environment is good for the players and that's what they thrive on. It reminds me a lot of Ajax Cape Town, everything is there for the players."
Carelse also suggested that club management are reaping the fruits of sticking with Steve Barker, who has been with them since 2017, through thick and thin.
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"Look, when the club were promoted, obviously the following season was gonna be a bit difficult, you know. It was understandable. But I think them showing faith in coach Steve, who has been around for a long time, a local coach, [it's] brilliant. He understands the players.
"The environment where they are in, there is no way you cannot improve. They have everything, they are run better than some of the European clubs, I'm telling you.
"That's why when their youngsters go that side, they have now won The Next Gen Cup [tournament organized by the English Premier League] two years in a row [runners-up in 2023] and this is a club, let's be honest, that is only eight years old."