Ronwen Williams leads South Africa’s busiest players in marathon 2025/26 season

Ronwen Williams topped the list of South African footballers who made the most appearances for club and country during the demanding 2025/26 campaign, playing 60 matches before representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper was one match ahead of Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis, who finished second after taking part in 59 games. The figures underline the workload carried by some of South Africa’s leading players during a season that included domestic football, continental competition and international commitments.

Williams was a constant presence for both Mamelodi Sundowns and the national side. His position as first-choice goalkeeper remained undisputed at club and international level, earning him the nickname ‘Ronza’ and giving him the highest appearance total among the players assessed.

However, his form came under scrutiny towards the end of the campaign after he conceded an unusually high number of goals. Concerns about his workload have also increased, with some suggesting the goalkeeper needs a period of rest after conceding four goals in Mamelodi Sundowns’ opening two matches of the 2026/27 season.

Appollis was the most-used player at Orlando Pirates and also appeared in more international matches than any other South African footballer. His 16 outings for Bafana Bafana included Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, tournament fixtures, World Cup qualifiers and matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The winger played a prominent role in a season that placed considerable demands on Orlando Pirates’ squad. The club’s head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, has already called for greater application from his international players, suggesting the physical and mental effects of a long campaign are becoming increasingly visible.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Orlando Pirates full-back Aubrey Modiba shared third place, with both players completing 55 appearances for club and country.

Mokoena, widely known as ‘Tebza’, remained a central figure for both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana. His ability to operate as a midfield engine made him one of the first names on the teamsheet for either side.

Modiba reached the same total despite overcoming an injury which had threatened to rule him out of the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad. The versatile defender missed Mamelodi Sundowns’ two-legged CAF Champions League semi-final victories against Esperance, as well as the second leg of the final against AS FAR Rabat, but still accumulated a substantial number of appearances across the season.

Tshepang Moremi completed the top five with 50 matches for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana. He was an important contributor to The Buccaneers’ historic domestic treble and added 11 international appearances to his season’s total.

The figures arrive as the new campaign gets under way and the debate over managing player workloads is expected to grow. For the five players who carried the heaviest burden in South African football last season, recovery and rotation could have a major influence on the pursuit of honours in 2026/27.

Gavin Hunt has also offered his views on the debate surrounding the Bafana Bafana coach, saying: “I have my feelings…” Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana have secured a World Cup play-off spot.