On Guard

SocerClub looks at South Africa ’s best -ever defenders, some of who m are genu ine legen ds of the local game. By Mark Gleeson

Sizwe Motaung
The best right back South African football has ever produced. After leaving South Africa, he went on to help Tenerife of Spain reach the Uefa Cup semifinals. He started his career with the KwaZulu-Natal-based Leeds United and then played at Jomo Cosmos and Sundowns before going overseas. On his return he played for Chiefs and Pirates.

Mark Fish
The first South African to play in the Serie A in more than 30 years and a member of the Africa Cup of Nations-winning team of 1996. Knee trouble brought a premature end to a career that also included spells at Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic in the English Premier League.

John Hewie
A left back by trade, Hewie played nine out of 11 possible positions in the English First Division, including goalkeeper. Because his father had been born in Selkirk, he played for Scotland and represented them at the
1958 World Cup.

Jimmy Joubert
‘Brixton Tower’ as Joubert was known, was an integral part of the Kaizer Chiefs squad that dominated the local
game in the early-80s.

Abram Khoza
‘Mainline’ was a stalwart for Orlando Pirates in the ’60s along with his twin brother Gabriel. He was arguably the
best defender of his generation at a time when there was no professional football in the country for blacks.

Lucas Radebe
Radebe was the first African to captain a top English league club and also skippered Bafana at two successive World Cups. He spent 10 years at Leeds United but began his career as a goalkeeper in the now defunct Bopsol league, and was signed as a defender by Chiefs and Leeds.

Stuart Lilley
A classy central defender who was a fan favourite at Highlands Park and Orlando Pirates.
Gibson Makatele He played from 1958 through to the early-60s for Alexandra Rangers.

Harry Naish
Springbok captain in the ’50s against Australia, Naish was our best post-war defender for almost two decades.
He played at Berea Park as well as for Northern Transvaal.

Mark Tovey
Elder brother of Neil, whose elegant style made him a huge favourite at Kaizer Chiefs. He joined them in the
latter days of a careernnthat had been made at Durban City, Dynamos and Bush Bucks.

Neil Tovey
The first player to reach the milestone of 50 caps for Bafana Bafana, he spent most of his career in midfield
but saved his best work for the back four. He was the first Bafana Bafana captain in 1992 and played at Durban City, AmaZulu and Chiefs.