Baartman says Da Cruz guidance driving his progress at Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs forward Luke Baartman says head coach Fernando Da Cruz’s advice has been central to his development after establishing himself in the Amakhosi first team.

The 19-year-old has featured in all eight of Kaizer Chiefs’ league matches during the 2026/27 season, scoring once after a disrupted debut campaign.

Baartman believes his willingness to listen to Da Cruz has helped him improve since becoming a regular member of the senior squad.

“I think it’s as coach said, that’s just for me to listen to him and I think he’s helping me a lot with doing better and getting better,” Baartman said.

The forward came through the youth system at Cape Town Spurs before making the move to Kaizer Chiefs as a free agent.

His transfer followed Spurs’ relegation and was preceded by a lengthy saga, but Baartman has since become an important part of the Kaizer Chiefs squad.

His performances have also given him the opportunity to build on a difficult first campaign, with regular involvement in the opening eight league fixtures of the new season.

Baartman is aware of the significance of representing Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa’s biggest clubs, having begun his career in Cape Town.

He described his move to the Amakhosi as a major moment in his career and said playing for the club carried particular importance because of where he came from.

“Playing for a big club like Chiefs is a massive honour, so where I come from in Cape Town it’s very, very big to play for a club like Chiefs,” he added.