Stellenbosch FC debutant Quwan Plaatjies scores hat-trick and honours late mother

Quwan Plaatjies dedicated his Player of the Match award to his late mother after marking his Stellenbosch FC debut with a hat-trick in a 3-1 Betway Premiership win over Marumo Gallants at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday.

The 20-year-old, promoted from the Stellenbosch FC Academy, scored three times inside the opening 54 minutes to take control of the match and inspire his side to their first win of the season.

Plaatjies opened the scoring in the 13th minute with an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area. After shifting the ball across his body, the forward struck a right-footed effort which found the back of the net.

His second goal, in the 28th minute, showed a different aspect of his game. Plaatjies found space between two defenders after the ball was delivered into the Marumo Gallants box, then glanced a header beyond the goalkeeper.

The performance was particularly notable given that Plaatjies had made the step up from the Diski Challenge to senior football. The player from Atlantis in the Western Cape had already impressed at academy level, but made an immediate impact on his first appearance for Stellenbosch FC’s senior team.

His hat-trick was completed nine minutes after half-time. Plaatjies arrived unmarked at the far post and headed home to put Stellenbosch three goals ahead.

He remained a constant threat before being substituted in the 67th minute, having also created opportunities for teammates with a series of well-weighted through balls. Stellenbosch manager Gavin Hunt replaced him with midfielder Qobolwakhe Sibande, prompting a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Among those applauding were members of Plaatjies’ family and some of his former school teachers.

Stellenbosch lost some of their attacking momentum after his departure, allowing Marumo Gallants to pull a goal back through Thapelo Dhludhlu in the 81st minute. The goal denied goalkeeper Sage Stephens a clean sheet, but could not alter the result.

Plaatjies’ display recalled the famous professional debut of former England striker Alan Shearer, who scored a hat-trick for Southampton and was reportedly made to clean the youth team’s boots by his manager the following day. The young Stellenbosch forward will hope his own three-goal debut proves the start of an equally significant career.

The occasion also had a deeply personal meaning for Plaatjies, who spoke emotionally after the match about the support of his family and dedicated his award to his grandmother, late mother and sister.

“I just want to dedidate this to my grandmother, my mother in the sky, my sister,” Plaatjies said at post-match. “It’s very special for me on my debut, all my family are here to support me.

“I cannot be happier after my first game. To score a hat-trick on debut. I don’t have words.”

The victory gave Stellenbosch a perfect reward for Plaatjies’ breakthrough performance, while his contribution suggested South African football may have witnessed the emergence of a new young star.