Sage Stephens and Langelihle Phili emerged as the big winners at the annual Stellenbosch FC senior awards ceremony as the Club celebrated its top achievers from the 2025-26 campaign.

With the 2025-26 men’s campaign set to conclude this coming weekend, Stellenbosch FC hosted its seventh annual end-of-season awards ceremony at a prestigious event hosted at the Stellenbosch Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

Captain and goalkeeper Sage Stephens walked away with the night’s biggest award after being named Footballer of the Season, while the Bafana Bafana international was also honoured with the Sportsman of the Season award for the second year running.

This follows a campaign in which Stephens kept 11 clean sheets in 39 appearances across all competitions, including helping Stellenbosch reach back-to-back MTN8 finals, and became the Club’s all-time appearance record holder with 176 appearances to his name.

Elsewhere, Langelihle Phili walked away with the biggest haul after taking home four awards, including the Players’ Player of the Season, Rama Fans’ Player of the Season, Oshwin Andries Young Player of the Season, and Golden Boot awards.

Major, as Phili is affectionately known, became the third winner of the Rama Fans’ Player of the Season accolade – following Iqraam Rayners and Sihle Nduli – after recording a season-high 10 goal contributions (nine goals and an assist) for the campaign.

The Club’s reserve team stars were also recognized on the night, and Stellenbosch-born Keanan Johannesen took home the Footballer of the Season award, receiving his trophy from Stellies graduate and current Queens Park Rangers defender, Tylon Smith.

Tauric Gamildien was awarded the Golden Boot after scoring 16 goals in the DStv Diski Challenge – the second most by anyone in the competition this term – and captain Liam Slade earned the Sportsman of the Season gong.

Earlier in the evening, Stellenbosch Head of Youth, Jean-Pierre Farrugia, received the coveted CEO’s award from Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie for his contributions to the Club, which include his stellar role in overseeing the academy structures and assisting the reserve team.

Special achievement awards were also conferred on Thabo Moloisane and Genino Palace for surpassing the 100-appearance mark for the Club, while assistant coach Wesley Irwin-Sergel was recognized for his role on the bench in over 300 matches for the Maroons.

There was also special recognition for Lee Langeveldt who received a career achievement award following a remarkable 21-year-career, which included NFD and Carling Knockout triumphs in his seven seasons with Stellenbosch FC.

The full list of 2025-26 Stellenbosch FC awards winners:

• Footballer of the Season – Sage Stephens
• Sportsman of the Year – Sage Stephens (2nd award)
• Players’ Player of the Season – Langelihle Phili
• Young Player of the Season – Langelihle Phili
• Golden Boot – Langelihle Phili
• Rama Fans Player of the Season – Langelihle Phili
• DDC Footballer of the Season – Keenan Johanessen
• DDC Sportsman of the Year – Liam Slade
• DDC Golden Boot – Tauric Gamildien
• CEO’s award – Jean-Pierre Farrugia
• Special achievements – Thabo Moloisane and Genino Palace (100 appearances), Sage Stephens (club appearance record), Wesley-Irwin Sergel (300+ matches as assistant coach), and Lee Langeveldt (career achievement award).

ENDS

Direct media enquiries to: Liam Bekker liam@stellenboschfc.com or 078 472 4797