Gavin Hunt alarmed by unprecedented PSL player clear-outs amid budget squeeze

Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt says he has never witnessed such a scale of player exits in the Premier Soccer League and believes tightening budgets are driving an “unbelievable” level of squad turnover on the eve of the 2026/27 season.

Speaking at the Betway Premiership launch at The Venue in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, Hunt described the volume of departures across the league as extraordinary, with several clubs releasing double-figure numbers of players ahead of Saturday’s kick-off.

“I’ve never seen such player movement in the PSL with every club,” Hunt said.

The veteran coach highlighted the extent of the changes at some of the league’s leading sides.

“I think Pirates let go of 17 [players], we [Stellenbosch] 20, Galaxy must be more … everybody … Siwelele,” he added, referring to Bloemfontein Celtic’s popular nickname.

Budget pressures blamed for clear-outs

Hunt is convinced the trend is being driven primarily by financial constraints, with clubs trimming wage bills and reshaping squads in response to off-field pressures.

“It obviously has much to do with budgets, doesn’t it? Let’s be honest, money, whatever it is,” the Stellenbosch boss said.

The 60-year-old, one of the most experienced coaches in the PSL, suggested that financial realities are forcing clubs into constant rebuilding rather than gradual squad evolution.

“It’s very difficult to keep hold of your players very, very difficult, as you’ve seen. We rebuild, rebuild all the time, bring in a new squad,” the former Bidvest Wits coach said.

Disrupted preparations for new campaign

Hunt admitted the timing and volume of transfer activity have seriously hindered pre-season planning, with players leaving and arriving deep into the build-up to the new campaign.

“As we talk, one player has just left now,” he said, in an apparent reference to Stellenbosch midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi, who joined Orlando Pirates on Wednesday morning.

“Tomorrow will be another one, two days away from the first game …

“It’s not easy. You can’t prepare, you can’t do proper pre-season sessions because players are coming and going, and some are coming in later.

“We’re two, three days away and there’re still moves happening now.”

Hunt indicated that the late churn has made it difficult to establish cohesion and clarity within his squad, with tactical work and conditioning disrupted by the constant changes.

Stellenbosch forced to ‘host’ opener in Durban

Stellenbosch’s logistical challenges are not limited to the transfer market. Their opening fixture of the new Betway Premiership season, against AmaZulu on Saturday, will be played at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban despite being listed as a home match for the Cape club.

The relocation has been prompted by venue unavailability in the Western Cape, forcing Stellenbosch into another extended run of games away from their usual base.

“Facility is a big problem. It’s seven away games in a row now [stretching from last season]. Something has to be done,” Hunt said.

The enforced sequence of away fixtures, combined with the sweeping personnel changes, leaves Stellenbosch facing a testing start to the season as PSL clubs across the country attempt to manage what Hunt views as one of the most turbulent transfer windows in the league’s recent history.