Steve Barker has lauded the quality of his squad after a rotated Stellenbosch FC side cruised to a 3-0 DStv Premiership derby win over Cape Town Spurs on Tuesday evening.

Stellenbosch FC climbed to fourth position in the DStv Premiership standings on Tuesday after recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over neighbours Cape Town Spurs, courtesy of goals from Iqraam Rayners, Jayden Adams and Darrel Matsheke.

The result was made all the more sweeter by the fact that Barker rotated his side with the weekend’s Carling Knockout semi-final in mind, making five changes to the team that defeated AmaZulu in Durban last weekend.

Match report | Stellies romp to derby win over Cape Town Spurs

Oscarine Masuluke came in for in-form goalkeeper Sage Stephens, Qobolwakhe Sibande swapped in for Fawaaz Basadien, Athenkosi Mcaba replaced Thabo Moloisane, and Andre de Jong and Darrel Matsheke stepped in for Genino Palace and Sihle Nduli, respectively.

The wholesale changes showed little impact on the cohesion of the team as Stellies romped to victory, and the coach was quick to laud not only the depth of his squad, but the buy-in and support from the players when it came to understanding their roles within the camp.

“It’s not easy, but we do try and create the mentality that we are a squad and that everyone will need to play a role at the right time,” Barker said.

“Sage, for example, has been in spectacular form, but he is on three yellow cards so we didn’t want to risk [him being suspended for the Carling Knockout semi-final].

“But, at the same time, you want to keep winning so it’s about having faith and trust in the whole squad and giving opportunity to other players.

“I actually said to them, “Now that we’ve made a couple of changes, the pressure is on you. You’ve got to perform, yes it’s nice to get the chance, but you have to perform.

“It’s a good pressure to apply, it’s not a bad pressure. It’s a pressure we want the players to be under, where the competition for places is high and everyone wants to be in the squad.

“A player like Darrel Matsheke today put in a really top class performance. He’s put his hand up, and it’s good and it’s healthy when that is the situation.

“Sihle Nduli wasn’t even in the matchday squad today. We left him out but he’s still available and comes back into the reckoning for the weekend. It’s just about everyone playing their part at the right time and supporting one another.”

Stellenbosch FC will be back in action on Saturday when the team takes on Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout semi-final at the King Zwelithini Stadium.