Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt will spark new beginnings against old PSL rivalries

Gavin Hunt kicks off his journey as the new coach of Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday evening, taking on a Sekhukhune United side led by his old PSL rival, Eric Tinkler.

Hunt’s squad are itching to climb the table, but they will have their hands full against a formidable Sekhukhune team currently sitting in third place. A victory for "Babina Noko" could even see them hit the top spot if Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns slip up.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch find themselves fighting for stability down in 14th place, with just 12 points from 14 games.

But let’s be real — this team has far more talent than their current position suggests. However, performances before the AFCON break showed signs of decline, with only one win in their last six league matches.

Nevertheless, the team bounced back with a crucial 1–0 victory against Magesi just before the break, igniting hopes of a resurgence under new leadership.

Stellenbosch find themselves in a precarious position, having recorded three wins, three draws, and eight defeats so far. Their season has been marked by inconsistency, including a concerning 2–1 home defeat to Polokwane City in their last outing — a setback that highlighted their struggle with defensive lapses.

Fortunately, the team showed signs of life toward the end of last year, securing two of their three seasonal wins in their final five matches of 2025.

Historically, matches between these two sides have often produced thrilling spectacles, even when both teams show defensive vulnerabilities. Stellenbosch, despite their woes on the road — having lost three of their last five away matches — managed a victory away from home recently, which should instill confidence ahead of this fixture.

The team’s attacking efforts have been modest, averaging only 0.7 goals per game this season. Their matches have frequently underscored a tendency toward low-scoring encounters, with under 3.5 goals recorded in 26 of their last 27 league games.

This season has proven significant for both clubs as the dynamics of competition evolve. Last year, Stellenbosch denied Sekhukhune a chance at the CAF Confederation Cup, despite both teams finishing the season with identical league standings. The rivalry continues with Hunt now seeking to pull "Stellies" away from the relegation zone.

His coaching prowess, evidenced by four previous Premiership titles during his tenure at clubs such as SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits, and Kaizer Chiefs, adds an intriguing twist to this matchup.

On the opposite side, Sekhukhune’s head coach, Eric Tinkler, faces his own challenge.

Tinkler’s side is looking to challenge for the title against giants such as Pirates and Chiefs, and has made strategic signings during the mid-season break — including midfielder Lebogang Phiri and striker Lehlohonolo Bradley Mojela, who previously played for Stellenbosch but faced injury setbacks last season.

For Hunt, the task is straightforward: rally his new squad and inspire a turnaround in their fortunes as they face a formidable Sekhukhune outfit. Fans eagerly await seeing how Stellenbosch will respond under their new head coach, starting with this encounter on Tuesday evening at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.