I had to improvise

Exactly one year ago Kyle Jurgens stated that Stellenbosch FC are the best place for young players to thrive.

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Not only does the club provide a conducive environment for professional and personal growth, but it also has a coach in Steve Barker who has a proven track record when it comes to giving deserving youngsters an opportunity. “As a youngster, this is the best club to be at. You know the facilities that we have, the coaches, the staff, the players, all the people that come together and help groom youngsters. Not just in football but mentally as well. I think it’s the best place to be at because of coach Steve giving youngsters an opportunity. And it’s not easy to do that,” he said. Therefore, it came as a surprise that one year, one trophy and 50 senior appearances later, Jurgens underwent a loan move, one that came at his own request, to newly-promoted outfit Durban City. After all, Jurgens had been seen as the long-term replacement for Deano Van Rooyen who had departed for Orlando Pirates. The 21-year-old made 27 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 season and played an integral role in Stellies' CAF Confederation Cup semifinal run and their MTN8 final campaign. However, he opted to jump ship to the KwaZulu-Natal outfit in the hope of more regular game time. For Jurgens, the early signs are that the gamble has paid off. So far in the 2025/26 campaign, he has played in all of Durban City’s nine matches.