Emile Witbooi: A historic debut for SA’s youngest rising star

Emile Witbooi became the ninth youngest player to debut in South African football when he was brought on in the second half of Cape Town City’s 2-0 away loss to AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership on Sunday.

His cameo appearance came at the age of 16 years, six months and five days and made him the 13th player aged under 17-years-old to make a professional debut.

Witbooi has already played for South Africa at under-20, has had trails in Europe and is seen as a bright talent for the future.

He is the son of Surprise Ralani, who spent much of his career in Scandinavia but returned to South Africa to play at Cape Town City, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town spurs.

Witbooi was first included on Cape Town City’s bench for their league game against Royal AM in September and had he been used then would have become the sixth youngest player in the history of the league.

The record is held by Mkhanyiseli Siwahla, who was 15 years, five months, 22 days when he made his debut for Ajax Cape Town in a cup clash against Dynamos, being thrust into the starting line-up by Gordon Igesund.

Siwahla, who turned out to be a serial entertainer rather than team player and saw his career slide amid allegations of alcohol abuse, scored after 41 minutes, making him also the country’s youngest-ever scorer in the pro ranks.

Second on the list is Steve Lekoelea, who was still known as Steve Motsiri when Eddie Lewis stuck him in the starting line-up for the last two games of the 1994 season in the colours of Moroka Swallows.

Both players, however, have been accused in later years of being age cheats, although no evidence has ever been offered to back up these claims.

The only other 15-year-old to play in the Premier Soccer League is Kobamelo Kodisang, now at Mamelodi Sundowns, who made his Platinum Stars debut under Cavin Johnson three years ago. It was two days before his 16th birthday.

YOUNGEST EVER

15 years, five months, 22 days: Mkhanyiseli Siwahla (Ajax Cape Town) v Dynamos, Absa Cup, 25 February 2004 – starting line-up and scored

*Born 3 September 1988

15 years, eight months, 15 days: Steve Motsiri, later Lekoelea (Moroka Swallows) v Bloemfontein Celtic, 20 October 1994 – starting line-up

*Born 5 February 1979

15 years, 11 months, 29 days: Kobamelo Kodisang (Platinum Stars) v Lamontville Golden Arrows, 26 August 2015 – came on as a substitute

*Born 28 August 1999

16 years, 12 days: Bradley Carnell (Wits University) v Cape Town Spurs, 5 February 1993 – came on as a substitute

*Born 21 January 1977

16 years, 26 days: Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns) v Royal AM, 14 March, 2023 – came on as a substitute

*Born 18 February 2007

16 years, 30 days: Jabulani Ncubeni (Maritzburg United) v Ajax Cape Town, 17 January 2009 – came on a substitute

*Born 18 December 1992

16 years, five months, 22 days: Philani Khwela (SuperSport United) v Black Leopards, 13 February 2008 – came on a substitute

*Born 22 August 1991

16 years, six months and one day: Bevan Fransman (Mother City) v Santos, 1 May 2000

*Born 31 October 1983 – starting line-up

16 years, eight months, five days: Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City) v AmaZulu, 2 March 2025 - – came on as a substitute

*Born 28 August 2008

16 years, seven months, 15 days; Liam Jordan (Bidvest Wits) v University of Pretoria, 17 March 2015 – came on as a substitute

*Born 30 July 1998

16 years, 11 months, 12 days: Augustine Mohlonoko (Orlando Pirates) v Highlands Park, 4 August 2018 - came on as a substitute

*Born 17 August 2001

16 years, 11 months, 22 days: Buti Sithole (Kaizer Chiefs) v Orlando Pirates, 7 December 2002

*Born 16 December 1985

16 years, 11 months, 25 days: Thulani Ngcepe (Moroka Swallows) v Silver Stars, 14 January 2007 - came on as a substitute and scored in the last minute

*Born 19 January 1990