South African football reached another significant milestone on Thursday after Belgian Pro League champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (RUSG) officially confirmed the signing of Bafana Bafana attacking midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng from Orlando Pirates on a four-year contract.
The announcement follows Pirates’ confirmation on Wednesday that a deal had been agreed in principle before the FIFA World Cup, subject to the successful completion of a medical examination and the finalisation of personal terms. Those formalities have now been concluded, officially bringing an end to months of speculation surrounding the 21-year-old’s future.
Although neither club disclosed the transfer fee, reports suggest Pirates will receive at least R55 million, with indications that the final amount could be considerably higher through performance-related incentives and additional clauses. If accurate, the transfer ranks among the most valuable outgoing deals involving a South African footballer in recent years and reflects the growing value of elite talent developed in the Premier Soccer League.
Mofokeng leaves Orlando Pirates having firmly established himself as one of the country’s brightest young stars. He departs after scoring 29 goals and providing 31 assists in 125 appearances across all competitions, while playing a central role in the Buccaneers’ highly successful 2025/26 campaign that culminated in a domestic treble, with the club lifting the Premiership title, the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout trophies.
His performances at club level earned him a place in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although his opportunities during the tournament were limited, he impressed during South Africa’s crucial victory over South Korea, helping secure qualification for the Round of 32 before Bafana Bafana were narrowly eliminated by Canada.
For Mofokeng, the move represents the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to compete in Europe. He described joining the Belgian champions as a dream and expressed his excitement at the opportunity to feature in UEFA Champions League qualifying while continuing his development at one of Belgium’s most progressive clubs.
Belgium has increasingly established itself as one of Europe’s leading development leagues, providing young players with consistent first-team football while serving as a pathway to some of the continent’s biggest competitions. For Mofokeng, adapting to the higher tactical demands and physical intensity of European football will be the next major challenge in a career that has consistently progressed at an impressive pace.
The transfer also carries significance beyond the individual player. It reinforces the growing reputation of South African football as a source of technically gifted talent capable of attracting interest from European clubs. Each successful move abroad strengthens the profile of the domestic game and creates further opportunities for emerging players to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise confirmed that Mofokeng will wear the number 38 jersey and that his contract includes an option to extend his stay beyond its initial four-year term. For Orlando Pirates, his departure closes the chapter on one of the club’s most exciting academy success stories. For South African football, however, it marks the beginning of what many will hope is another successful European journey capable of inspiring the next generation of talent.