While Umtata Bush Bucks carved out a decorated path in South African football, Durban Bush Bucks — the original Bucks — briefly burned bright in the 1980s before disappearing. Though often confused with their Eastern Cape counterpart, Durban’s version, led by General Manager Lawrence “The Big Bear” Ngubane, made history by winning the inaugural NSL in 1985 and bringing pride to Umlazi township.
🟨 SECTION 2: Club Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Durban Bush Bucks Football Club |
| Nickname | Amathole Amnyama (“The Black Bison”) |
| Founded | Early 1980s |
| Location | Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Stadium | Glebe Stadium |
| Owners | Mandlakhe Mbili |
| General Manager | Lawrence “The Big Bear” Ngubane |
| Notable Coach | Clive Barker |
| League History | National Soccer League (NSL), 1980s |
| Status | Defunct (Disbanded after relegation in 1990) |
| Often Confused With | Umtata Bush Bucks (Eastern Cape) |
🟨 SECTION 3: Formation and Rise
KwaZulu-Natal’s Early Football Powerhouse
The Durban Bush Bucks rose from the heart of Umlazi in the early 1980s. Under Lawrence Ngubane’s powerful leadership, the club aggressively pursued top-tier talent and turned Glebe Stadium into a fortress. They were not just a team — they were a community institution.
🟨 SECTION 4: Big-Money Signings That Built a Title-Winning Team
Lawrence Ngubane’s Transfer Masterclass (1984–85)
Ngubane reshaped the squad with one of the most ambitious spending sprees in South African football at the time, signing the following stars:
| Player | From Club | Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Clive Barker | Durban City (Coach) | R– Signed as manager |
| Dennis Wicks | Durban City | R25,000 |
| Mark Tovey | Durban City | R25,000 |
| Brummie de Leur | Wanderers | R15,000 |
| Calvin Petersen | Unknown (previously City) | R20,000 |
| Farouk Abrahams | Maritzburg United (FPL) | Fee undisclosed |
| Bennett Gondwe | Moroka Swallows (via Hearts) | R20,000 (combo deal) |
| Dan Ramarutsi | Hearts | (included in combo) |
This financial push and recruitment strategy allowed the club to compete immediately at the top level. It set the standard for ambitious football investment in KZN long before the PSL era.
🟨 SECTION 5: Major Achievements
| Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|
| NSL Title | 🏆 1985 – Champions |
| Mainstay Cup (NPSL) | 🥈 1984 – Finalists (lost to Kaizer Chiefs) |
| JPS Knockout Cup | 🏆 1987 – Beat Orlando Pirates 2–1 |
| NSL League (1986) | 🥈 2nd Place |
Their triumph in 1985, as the first-ever NSL champions, remains one of the great underdog stories in SA football history.
🟨 SECTION 6: Decline and Disappearance
Relegation and Collapse
After a strong showing in the mid-80s, the club’s momentum faded:
- Relegated in 1990
- Financial issues followed
- Disbanded shortly afterward
Despite brief highs, the club couldn’t keep pace financially or structurally with emerging PSL-era standards.
🟨 SECTION 7: Durban vs Umtata Bush Bucks – Clearing the Confusion
| Durban Bush Bucks | Umtata Bush Bucks |
|---|---|
| Based in Umlazi, Durban | Based in Mthatha, Eastern Cape |
| NSL Champions in 1985 | NSL Champions in 1993 |
| Founded by Lawrence Ngubane | Founded by Sturu Pasiya (after split from Durban) |
| Disbanded after 1990 | Continued through 2000s (now defunct) |
| Clive Barker as Head Coach | Mlungisi Ngubane among managers |
The two clubs shared a name, but not an origin or legacy.
🟨 SECTION 8: Cultural Impact and Identity
What Made Durban Bush Bucks Special
- Umlazi’s Team: Local pride ran deep in Glebe Stadium.
- Fierce Defense & Unity: Players fought as a unit, regardless of stardom.
- Ngubane’s Vision: GM Lawrence Ngubane helped professionalize and glamorize township football.
- Style: Compact, physical, set-piece experts — perfect for 1980s SA football.
🟨 SECTION 9: Why Their Story Still Matters
Lessons from the Forgotten Bucks
- 🕯️ They were one of the first fully Black-managed, Black-owned teams to win a national league.
- 🏟️ They showed that local talent + community backing = national glory.
🟨 SECTION 10: Final Thoughts
“They didn’t just win games — they inspired a generation of football fans and administrators in KZN.”
– Football Historian, SAFA Archive Project
Though Durban Bush Bucks no longer exist, their 1985 NSL title, passionate home ground, and fearless leadership under Lawrence Ngubane remain part of the soul of KwaZulu-Natal football. These Bucks were mighty — and deserve their place in history.
