Stellenbosch FC skipper Sage Stephens: ‘They branded me SA’s best No. 2’

Record-breaking Stellenbosch FC captain Sage Stephens has opened up on how he transformed the adversity of being mocked as South Africa’s “best second-choice goalkeeper” into a powerful source of career-defining motivation.

The veteran shot-stopper reflected on the dramatic highs and lows of his professional journey as the Betway Premiership outfit officially recognised him for becoming the club’s all-time record appearance holder.

The Bafana Bafana international recently surpassed the milestone previously held by former captain Deano van Rooyen. Stephens officially eclipsed the record of 162 appearances for the Maroons after featuring in a high-stakes CAF Confederation Cup encounter against Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars in South Africa in February 2026.

Whose Record Did Sage Stephens Break at Stellenbosch FC?

The 34-year-old goalkeeper admitted that he never truly envisioned achieving such a historic milestone, let alone approaching a feat so significant that he frequently feels the need to “pinch himself” to ensure it is reality.

“When I first joined the club, my primary ambition was simply to play regularly. To have achieved everything we have since—winning the Carling Knockout, competing in the CAF Confederation Cup, and earning my personal debut for Bafana Bafana—is a massive testament to a top-tier club and a world-class team. I honestly couldn’t have scripted the story any better myself,” he told the official Stellenbosch FC website.

When Did Sage Stephens Debut for Stellenbosch FC?

Stephens made his competitive debut for the Winelands-based side five years ago in a league clash against Maritzburg United. On that day, he shared the pitch with the man whose record he would eventually break: the then-Stellies captain and local hero, Van Rooyen.

“I never initially thought Deano’s record was attainable because he was so far ahead in terms of numbers. Him holding that record as a Stellenbosch local was incredibly special, especially as he had to overcome his own unique challenges to get there. It’s a great honour to follow in the footsteps of what he achieved at this Club,” Stephens added.

The Bafana Bafana keeper Sage Stephens described his eventual ascent to the top as a journey riddled with hurdles. To his immense credit, he utilised every setback as a driving force to silence his detractors.

“A characteristic that I’ve nurtured within myself, both in football and in my personal life, is a constant desire to prove people wrong,” he explained. “While that isn’t always the healthiest mindset in every context, in the professional sports industry, it has certainly served me well because I’ve used it as a primary driving force.”

Sage Stephens continued: “At a previous club, I was told directly that I was the best ‘Number 2’ in the country, but that I wasn’t viewed as a ‘Number 1’ starter. That was a difficult and discouraging thing to hear at the time, but I used it as extra fuel and motivation. You cannot afford to listen to just one person’s opinion. You must ensure you believe in the person you see in the mirror every day; otherwise, you simply won’t get anywhere in this game.”

Before cementing his status as a Stellenbosch FC legend, Stephens enjoyed stints on the books of Moroka Swallows, AmaZulu, and Cape Town City. However, it is in the Winelands where he finally found his home and his championship-winning form.

“Winning the Carling Knockout stands as the biggest achievement of my career so far,” Sage Stephens noted. “I’ve been part of successful teams where we have won trophies in the past, but I had never been the starting goalkeeper for those finals. It was an absolutely incredible feeling to be on the pitch, contributing directly, and finally lifting that trophy as a starter.”