Stellies Skipper: We’ve Got Enough Leaders to Carry The Ship
Stellenbosch captain Sage Stephens lauded former club captain Deano Van Rooyen, who recently joined Orlando Pirates, while dismissing any pressure to fill the leadership void.
Van Rooyen’s departure, coupled with Iqraam Rayners’ move to Mamelodi Sundowns, left a significant gap in Stellenbosch’s squad, particularly given their CAF preliminary stage commitments.
While coach Steve Barker and Stephens acknowledged the loss of Van Rooyen, they emphasized the abundance of leadership within the team.
“There are quite a few leaders in the team, not just one specific person. From Lee (Langeveldt) and Fawaz (Basadien), there’s a lot of leaders on the team that we can count on any day,” affirmed Stephens at the press conference on Friday.
“I don’t see it as pressure. If the coach has got the decision, Lee’s our captain and if I’m to lead on the field on the day then I’ll give my best in that regard,” the keeper added.
To illustrate his point, Stephens highlighted the leadership experience of his teammates.
“The armband has gone from me to Fawaaz, so I don’t think that’s an issue. We’ve got enough strong leaders to carry the ship forward. As the coach said, it’s a big loss for the team,” Stephens stated.
Van Rooyen, who made his professional debut for Stellenbosch at the tender age of 16 in 2016, is leaving the club as a legend due to his unwavering commitment and on-field leadership. Stephens praised his former teammate.
“Deano is a fantastic person and player. He served the club exceptionally well. We can learn a lot from him. He was a quiet leader who led by example. Many of us can emulate his style,” Stephens remarked.
While the successor to Van Rooyen’s leadership role remains uncertain, the abundance of potential candidates, as indicated by Stephens and Barker, suggests a smooth transition.
Stephens made these comments in Durban on Friday ahead of Stellenbosch’s CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round match against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs on Saturday (15:00). The team will be based in Durban’s venue for the next three weeks.
