Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest town, dating back to 1679, and has a proud historic association with rugby.
It boasts the famous Maties club, affiliated to Stellenbosch University and the producer of a record 176 players for the Springboks including Rugby World Cup winners Rudolf Straeuli, Jean de Villiers and Willie le Roux.
The influence of the oval ball game can be seen at Stellenbosch FC’s stadium, which is named after apartheid-era rugby coach and administrator Danie Craven.
However, Barker says the backing from the Western Cape town for football has been “massive”.
“This is a vehicle for young talent to be given opportunity and the support base is growing,” he added.
Veteran sports journalist Herman Gibbs believes the club is reaping the rewards of its approach of gradual improvement – particularly in sticking with Barker through challenging times.
The PSL can be a cut-throat industry for coaches, with giants Kaizer Chiefs set to appoint their ninth coach since Barker took charge of Stellies, while Orlando Pirates have had four different bosses in that time.
The dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns is partly down to their coaching stability – with only three reshuffles since Pitso Mosimane was appointed in 2012 – and Stellies backed Barker when they narrowly avoided the relegation play-offs at the end of 2020-21.
“When they were down at the bottom half of the log, the club realised the playing personnel wasn’t good enough and that it wasn’t Steve’s fault,” Gibbs told BBC Sports Africa.
“I think they felt he was doing the best he could do with the material at hand.”
Gibbs predicts that Barker’s career will undergo a different trajectory to his uncle Clive, given that the two have developed in different environments.
Clive spent the majority of his club career coaching sides such as AmaZulu, Bush Bucks and Maritzburg United, who all lacked the structures and support needed to compete with the traditional giants in South Africa.
“Stellenbosch are one of the best supported teams in the country and one of the only teams that can compete with Sundowns,” Gibbs said.
“Steve also did very well at the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks), where they have tremendous support structures.
“Clive was more of a tactician. His secret was that he identified players and gave them jobs to do in the team according to their potential.”
Next up for Steve Barker is the challenge of continental football, but could he follow in the footsteps of his uncle and coach Bafana Bafana?
“Like any coach, you want to be coaching at the highest level,” he explained.
“It would be an honour to coach the national team. Right now, my focus is on where I am and to continue growing as a coach.”
