Quwan Plaatjies made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick on his Stellenbosch FC debut after netting all three goals in the Club’s 3-1 Betway Premiership win over Marumo Gallants.
Making his senior professional debut, Stellenbosch reserve team graduate Plaatjies wrote his name into the history books on Friday by becoming the first player to net a hat-trick in his maiden appearance for the team from the Winelands.
The 20-year-old forward was handed his first start by coach Gavin Hunt and rewarded the faith shown in him as early as the 13th minute when he broke the deadlock with a finessed finish into the bottom corner.
His second followed just before the half-hour mark when he rose highest to meet Raoul Daniels’ cross, before combining again with the winger to score a near-identical third in the second stanza and complete his remarkable hat-trick.
In achieving his feat, he became the first Stellenbosch player to score on debut since Tshegofatso Mabasa in January, as well as the first player to score more than once on debut for the Club.
He is also only the third player in the Club’s history to score a hat-trick after Stanley Muishond (vs Mthatha Bucks in the NFD) and Iqraam Rayners (5, vs Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership).
Plaatjies’ outing ultimately lasted 66 minutes before he was substituted for Qobolwakhe Sibande, on loan from Petrojet, who notably made his second debut for Stellies after previously representing the Club between 2022 and 2024.
