Bafana Bafana stars’ future at Mamelodi Sundowns in limbo, according to reports.
The future of Sundowns defender Rushine De Reuck is shrouded in uncertainty as the club reportedly hesitates to offer him a contract renewal. With his current deal expiring in June 2025, De Reuck, 28, might soon have to make significant career decisions.
Sources close to the club have revealed that Sundowns’ management is leaning towards not extending De Reuck’s contract. Instead, they are prioritizing the promotion of young defenders from their DStv Diski Challenge team, like Malibongwe Khoza, as part of their long-term strategy.
“Yes, his contract is coming to an end in June next year, and by normal standards, they should have started talking about the new contract by now as he can sign a pre-contract in January. But Sundowns are quiet, and it’s believed that they won’t be renewing his contract,” the source shared.
Management is reportedly assessing De Reuck’s contribution over the last two seasons and balancing it against their goal to create opportunities for emerging talent.
De Reuck faces tough competition for game time
The central defensive role at Sundowns is fiercely competitive. With players like Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, and Bathusi Aubaas already in the mix, and rising stars like Malibongwe Khoza stepping up, De Reuck’s opportunities have dwindled.
“The club feels they have enough cover in that position. With defenders like Grant Kekana, (Mothobi) Mvala, and now even with Malibongwe Khoza, and at times Bathusi Aubaas also deployed into that position, so they feel it’s better to give Rushine a chance to move on and go play more often at another club,” another source explained.
This struggle for game time was evident last season when the Cape Town-born defender made only a few appearances after joining Sundowns from Maritzburg United in 2021.
Is there still hope ?
Despite the current uncertainty, there remains a glimmer of hope for De Reuck to extend his stay at Sundowns. While he can sign a pre-contract with another club as early as January, the situation might still evolve.
“There are still options for the defender to continue his Sundowns journey beyond June 2025,” the source added.
For now, De Reuck’s future hangs in the balance. Will Sundowns reconsider their decision, or will the defender seek greener pastures elsewhere? One thing is certain: the coming months will be pivotal for his career.
What’s next for De Reuck?
As the clock ticks towards June 2025, all eyes will be on both De Reuck and Sundowns. The club’s youth-centric approach could mark the end of his chapter at Chloorkop, but with his undeniable talent, the defender could still thrive, whether at Sundowns or a new club.
Keep following the story as we bring you the latest updates on this developing situation.
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