The start of the new PSL season saw major movement in an already busy South African Premiership transfer window, with Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch among the key kingmakers.
Amakhosi brought in two promising 21-year-old players from Stellies: winger Langelihle Phili on a permanent basis, and forward/winger Faiz Abrahams on loan with the option to buy.
Phili & Abrahams off to Chiefs, but Stellies clinch key signings
Phili -- who was Stellenbosch's Player of the Season for 2025-26 -- had a breakout campaign in a season which began under the guidance of Steve Barker and finished under Gavin Hunt.
Abrahams had a loan stint with Israel's Hapoel Kfar Saba, but has limited experience at first team level in South Africa. Nevertheless, he arrives with pedigree after helping South Africa to last year's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 title.
Meanwhile, striker Ashley du Preez and defender Given Msimango head in the opposite direction.
Du Preez returns to Stellenbosch after four years with Amakhosi, while Msimango adds cover after Stellies saw Thabo Moloisane leave as a free agent for Kaizer Chiefs earlier in the window, while fellow centre-back Henri Stanic is also out the door after a transfer to Azam FC in Tanzania.
Stellenbosch had long since resigned themselves to the fact that Tshegofatso Mabasa was on his way out after a loan stint in the second half of last season, when the striker was out of favour at Orlando Pirates.
Nevertheless, his move to Morocco's MAS de Fès was somewhat of an unexpected twist in the 29-year-old's career. He had, however, long held hopes of playing abroad.
Pirates ahead of the late march again
Orlando Pirates had done much of their business early in the window - and had effectively laid the foundation for it last season by adding former Stellenbosch head of recruitment Brendon Fourie to an already star-studded technical team.
Former Stellies midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi was an addition late in July to a signings list that already included distinguished young left-back Neo Rapoo and Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, among others.
The departure of Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise was always going to leave the team with plenty of work to do, but there is a steady stream of young talent rising through their ranks.
Kaizer Chiefs appear to be attempting to do the best they can to match their Soweto rivals in this regard.
Maseko faces uncertain future at Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, have a wealth of options in most areas of the pitch. The biggest ongoing saga there is that of 22-year-old Thapelo Maseko, who remains contracted to the club despite a loan stint at Cyprus' AEL Limassol in the second half of the season.
Maseko has made no secret of his discontent at Sundowns. He has been out of favour for most of the last three years and now faces fresh competition from Antonio van Wyk.
But as it stands, there is no clear exit route from the club for the player who scored the goal that sent Bafana Bafana to the knockout rounds for the first time ever in a 1-0 win over South Korea.