Luke Baartman embraces Kaizer Chiefs pressure after earning regular place

Kaizer Chiefs forward Luke Baartman says he is focused on making the most of his regular first-team opportunities after a difficult introduction to life at the Soweto club.

The 20-year-old has started every match for Kaizer Chiefs in the 2026/27 season and has been rewarded with a recall to the South Africa U-23 squad, who are preparing to face Algeria in two friendly internationals.

Baartman’s progress appeared to stall during his first season at Chiefs. His move from Cape Town Spurs was initially caught up in legal disputes involving his former club, who were later relegated to the ABC Motsepe League.

That left Baartman unable to play freely for several months. Once available, he was not part of the immediate plans of former coach Nasreddine Nabi, with the same situation continuing under ex-co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

The arrival of Fernando Da Cruz has given the youngster a fresh opportunity, with Baartman featuring in every Chiefs match so far.

“It’s always a good thing to play for your country, you know. Playing for the national team can also change your career, so for me it is just to keep on working and keep on getting better,” Baartman told journalists at the squad’s training base at Clapham High School in Queenswood, Pretoria, on Tuesday.

“I kept on working hard, got game-time, did what I do and got the national team call-up again. Here I am again and I’m grateful for that.”

Baartman believes consistent appearances at club level were central to his return to the national set-up.

“It’s a great start for me, playing all the games so far for Kaizer Chiefs. It’s just for me to keep on working and keep on getting game-time,” he said.

“If you don’t play, I don’t think you’re going to get called up, so for me it’s to keep on working and keep on getting game-time.”

Baartman on the expectations at Chiefs

Playing for one of South Africa’s biggest clubs brings added scrutiny, but Baartman says he has been able to cope with the demands of being a “Glamour Boy”.

“There is pressure, but it’s how you handle it. There is pressure, but I think I can handle it. You can see so far I’m doing great.”

Although Da Cruz has mainly deployed him on the left side of attack, Baartman says his preferred role is through the middle.

“You know, firstly you come from a great structure, a great development side, and you are able to play everywhere up front,” he said.

“For me, my position is number nine. After it is false nine.”

Raymond Mdaka’s South Africa U-23 side will meet Algeria in Durban on Wednesday and Saturday.