Stellenbosch Football Club, affectionately known as Stellies, is a modern success story in South African football. Founded in 2016 and based in the heart of the Western Cape’s Winelands, the club has quickly risen through the ranks of professional football, earning a reputation for excellence in youth development, top-tier competitiveness, and community engagement. With a strong foundation laid by the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) and strategic backing from REMGRO, Stellies has become a formidable and admired club in the Betway Premiership. REMGRO is owned by billionaire, Johan Rupert.
🟨 SECTION 2: Quick Facts About Stellenbosch FC
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stellenbosch Football Club |
| Nickname | Stellies |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Location | Stellenbosch, Western Cape |
| Stadium | Danie Craven Stadium |
| Owners | Stellenbosch Academy of Sport / REMGRO |
| Head Coach | Steve Barker (as of recent seasons) |
| Club Colors | Maroon and White |
| Main Sponsors | Distell, Umbro |
| League | Betway Premiership |
| Honours | 2018/19 NFD Champions, 2023 Carling Knockout Cup Winners |
🟨 SECTION 3: Origins and Ambitions
🍇 Football Finds a Home in the Winelands
In 2016, National First Division (NFD) club Vasco da Gama was bought and relocated to Stellenbosch, marking the first time the historic university town had a professional football team. The move was driven by a vision: to develop football talent in the Western Cape while uniting the local community under one badge. The new club was renamed Stellenbosch FC.
That same year, Stellenbosch FC finished an impressive third in the NFD, narrowly missing out on promotion in their debut campaign — but it was just the beginning.
🟨 SECTION 4: Rise to the Premier Division
🏆 2018/19 – Champions and Promotion
In 2018, Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and REMGRO officially took over as primary stakeholders, strengthening the club’s infrastructure and giving Stellies access to world-class training facilities.
Under this new leadership, Stellenbosch FC flourished:
- Won the 2018/19 NFD title
- Promoted to the DStv Premiership for the first time
- Launched a youth academy to build from the grassroots up
Stellies quickly went from local dream to national presence.
🟨 SECTION 5: Establishing PSL Status
⚽ Holding Their Own in the Top Flight
Stellenbosch FC debuted in the 2019/20 DStv Premiership (now Betway Premiership), competing against giants like Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates. Despite being newcomers, the club held its own thanks to its disciplined coaching, focus on youth, and strategic signings.
Highlights include:
- 2021/22 Season: Finished 4th, a club-best performance, qualifying for MTN 8
- 2021: Club moved to Danie Craven Stadium as its home ground
- Athenkosi Mcaba became the first Stellies player to earn a Bafana Bafana call-up
🟨 SECTION 6: Cup Glory and Continental Qualification
🏆 2023 – Carling Knockout Champions
In the 2023/24 season, Stellenbosch FC lifted their first major cup, winning the Carling Knockout Cup after a dynamic and disciplined campaign.
As a result, the club:
- Qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup, entering continental competition for the first time
- Saw its reserve team win the DStv Diski Challenge for the second time — reinforcing the club’s academy success
Stellies were no longer just a rising club — they were champions.
🟨 SECTION 7: Youth Development and Club Vision
🌱 Built on Talent and Identity
Stellenbosch FC’s identity is rooted in development and sustainability:
- Homegrown talents like Jayden Adams, Iqraam Rayners, and Antonio van Wyk have become national stars
- The club academy launched in 2019 has fast become a feeder for the senior squad and national teams
- Community programs connect the club to the wider Winelands region, building a fan base of pride and passion
🟨 SECTION 8: Why Stellenbosch
🌍 A Model Club for South Africa’s Future
Stellies is more than just a PSL team — it’s a vision realized.
- ✅ First professional club from Stellenbosch
- ✅ Rapid, structured rise to the top
- ✅ Development-first model proving successful on the pitch
- ✅ National and continental recognition within a decade of founding
🟨 SECTION 9: Club Honours
| Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|
| National First Division | 🏆 2018/19 Champions |
| Carling Knockout Cup | 🏆 2023 Winners |
| DStv Diski Challenge | 🏆 Reserve Team Champions (2 titles) |
| PSL Top 4 Finish | ✅ 2021/22 – Qualified for MTN 8 |
🟨 SECTION 10: A Club with Heart and Horizon
From humble beginnings in 2016 to cup champions and PSL contenders, Stellenbosch FC has grown into a model of what South African football can be — locally rooted, development-driven, and fearlessly ambitious. Whether it’s their maroon jerseys lighting up Danie Craven Stadium or their academy graduates making national headlines, Stellies is proving that greatness grows in the vineyards of the Cape.
