Luke Baartman: the Kaizer Chiefs youngster making his mark

Luke Baartman has made an impressive start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, scoring his first league goal for Kaizer Chiefs in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United after being named Man of the Match against Kruger United.

The 20-year-old forward is beginning to show he can handle the demands that come with wearing the famous gold and black jersey of Amakhosi, a responsibility that has proved too heavy for several promising young players in the past.

Baartman’s goal against Sekhukhune United followed a standout display at the weekend and marked an important moment in his emergence at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.

From Cape Town Spurs to Chiefs

Baartman developed at the Cape Town Spurs Academy before making his senior professional debut for the club in October 2023. He was only 17 when he was introduced against Orlando Pirates.

His finishing ability and intelligent movement away from the ball quickly attracted attention. In November 2023, he scored his first Premiership goal against Kaizer Chiefs the club he would later join.

Sean Connor, who was coaching Cape Town Spurs at the time, compared the teenager’s style of play with that of Sweden great Henrik Larsson.

Baartman also began building experience at international level, representing South Africa in both the U17 and U20 age groups. Those opportunities came while expectations around his potential were already growing.

Kaizer Chiefs continued to monitor his progress and moved to sign the skilful blonde playmaker at the start of last season.

His arrival at Naturena did not immediately lead to regular first-team football. Under former coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, Baartman was used sparingly, limiting his opportunities to establish himself in the side.

Rather than allowing the setbacks to affect him, he focused on improving his physical strength and continued working while waiting for a sustained chance.

Da Cruz offers a bigger role

That opportunity has arrived during the 2026/27 campaign. A strong pre-season in Spain impressed new Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz and helped put Baartman in contention at the start of 2026.

Da Cruz has suggested the youngster can contribute both centrally and from the left, giving him options to influence matches in different positions. The coach has also praised Baartman’s willingness to absorb and apply instructions.

“Modern football players can play in many positions, young players like Baartman, it’s important to give him more tools to play in different roles,” Da Cruz said.

“The most important thing for him is to read the game, knowing what to do now in this situation where he plays.

“It’s a player with good technical qualities that’s interesting, and also a player with good explosively when he plays football, a young player who listens to what the coaches ask which is very important to me,” he said.

“The most important thing for young players is to listen to what the coach wants, sometimes young players act experiences, so for me, that’s what’s good, he understands what I want.”

Baartman’s form during the opening two Betway Premiership matches suggests he is now ready to compete for a more prominent role at Kaizer Chiefs. His back-to-back performances, capped by his first league goal for the club, have given Amakhosi a promising new attacking option as the season develops.

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