PSL transfer news: Most expensive South African players

Here are the most expensive players to have made the move from the PSL to leagues outside of South Africa in recent years.

Phakamani Mahlambi – Bidvest Wits to Al Ahly

Phakamani Mahlambi of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Free State Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns at Goble Park Stadium, Bethlehem on 11 May 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

His 2018 move to a fellow African side was unheard of when it comes to PSL players, but rising star Phakamani Mahlambi coined it big time when he transferred from then-PSL champs Bidvest Wits.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly forked out around R25 million for the striker’s services.

Keagan Dolly – Mamelodi Sundowns to Montpellier

Dolly Keagan during the South Africa training session at Princess Magogo Stadium on the 3 September 2018 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Dolly was hot property in South Africa from his days at Ajax Cape Town, and his move to Mamelodi Sundowns made him a local star as he was part of the fabled “CBD” forward trio, along with Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat.

All three players have since left the Tshwane Giants, and the winger was the first to depart, joining French outfit Montpellier for a reported fee of R30 million.

Bongani Khumalo – Supersport United to Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur’s Bongani Khumalo (R) vies with Kaizer Chiefs’ Abia Nale during their 2011 Vodacom Challenge match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on July 16, 2011. Kaizer Chiefs won 1-0. AFP PHOTO / FRENNIE SHIVAMBU (Photo by FRENNIE SHIVAMBU / AFP)

Former Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo was one of the big transfers after South Africa hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup, securing a move to Tottenham Hotspur from Supersport United.

The lanky centre-back cost the London club around R30 million, but his time in the English Premier League turned out to be not an entirely happy one, as he was regularly shipped off for loan spells in the lower leagues, turning out for clubs such as Preston North End and Colchester before his return to Matsatsansa in 2015.

Thulani Serero – Ajax Cape Town to Ajax

Thulani Serero in action for Bafana Bafana. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Having come up the ranks at the famed Ajax Cape Town youth academy, the next step for the Thulani Serero was always to progress to the Mother City outfit’s mother club.

He did just that, costing the Dutch giants close to R50 million in the process. 

Percy Tau – Mamelodi Sundowns to Brighton and Hove Albion

Percy Tau of South Africa during the 2021 Afcon Qualifiers match between South Africa and Sudan at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 17 November 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The former Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker left South Africa on a record fee as he signed for English outfit Brighton and Hove Albion in 2018.

He cost the Seagulls north of R60 million on his departure from Pretoria.