New Stellenbosch FC star Quwan Plaatjies dedicates dream debut hat-trick to late mother

Stellenbosch (2) 3

Plaatjies 13′, 28′, 54

Marumo Gallants (0) 1 

Thapelo Dhludlhu 81′

Quwan Plaatjies will be hoping Gavin Hunt doesn’t make him clean the youth team’s boots, the way Alan Shearer was famously made to do by his manager the day after the former England striker scored a hat-trick on his professional debut for Southampton. But the Stellenbosch FC new-boy will hope that it’s only the beginning of bigger things to come.

Plaatjies was sensational on Stellies’ senior debut, with the 20-year-old scoring a hat-trick within the first hour of the Betway Premiership clash against a stunned Marumo Gallants outfit on Friday evening at Athlone Stadium.

The Stellenbosch FC Academy graduate, who has earned his stripes in the Diski Challenge, took the step up to the next level with aplomb. The first goal was a moment of brilliance as he moved the ball across his body before unleashing a right-footed shot from the edge of the box that nestled into the Gallants’ net.

54′ – 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟! – Unbelievable! Quwan Plaatjies nets a hat-trick on debut 🎯

Stellenbosch FC 3️⃣ – 0️⃣ Marumo Gallants pic.twitter.com/oerwuH5Owu

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) August 14, 2026

But that was only the beginning for the youngster who hails from Atlantis in the Western Cape.

It was almost fitting that legendary Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett was on commentary for Plaatjies’ Betway Premiership debut, for his second goal was worthy of Bartlett in his prime. With the ball played into the Gallants’ box, Plaatjies managed to position himself between two defenders before glancing the ball with his head for his, and Stellies’, second goal of the night.

It certainly lifted the spirits of a Stellenbosch team that were seeking their first win of the season.

Plaatjies’ dream debut was not done yet. Within 10 minutes of the half-time break, he found space at the far post, where he was unmarked, and headed home to complete his hat-trick on debut.

The youngster was beaming with excitement, and could easily have added a couple more goals to his tally, while also delivering some exquisite through balls for his teammates to get on the scoresheet.

He eventually left the park in the 67th minute to a standing ovation from the die-hard Stellenbosch FC fans, which included members of Plaatjies’ family and former school teachers, when Hunt replaced him with midfielder Qobolwakhe Sibande.

Stellenbosch lost a bit of their spark after Plaatjies was substituted, with Gallants scoring a consolation goal through Thapelo Dhludhlu to spoil Sage Stephens’ clean sheet.

But even that could not dampen a night where South African football may just have seen the birth of a new star in young Plaatjies, who dedicated his Player of the Match award to his late mother.

“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.”