Usually, a promising talent is scouted from a very young age. Some players are able to make their top-flight debuts as teens, while others have to wait a little longer for their break.
Here are the late bloomers of the PSL…
Lehlohonolo Majoro (Age 24)
The striker may be ruling the roost at Orlando Pirates right now, but he had to wait until the age of 24 before he had his lucky break and started making a name for himself. It was at AmaZulu where Majoro started out, before moving on to Kaizer Chiefs and Parktown.
Thabo Rakhale (26)
It was just a few years ago that Orlando Pirates' new star, Thabo Rakhale, was playing in the provincial leagues, but now he finds himself at one of South Africa's biggest clubs. His yo-yo trick and stunning goals have been stealing the headlines of late, but it took him until he turned 26 to get his 'big break'.
Anssi Jaakkola (27)
The Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper may have only arrived at Ajax Cape Town two seasons ago, but he took a while to burst onto the scene. Before his switch to Cape Town, Jaakkola had made just 46 appearances in nine years - but now he is a regular at the Urban Warriors.
Siyabonga Nhlapo (24)
Similarly to Majoro, Nhlapo had to wait until the age of 23/24 to make his debut in the PSL – a relatively late age considering how well he has been doing with Wits. Set to turn 27, the marauding wing-back fortunately still has plenty of years ahead of him.
Senzo Meyiwa (26)
Meyiwa made his PSL debut at a far younger age than 26, but it was at this age when he only started to play regularly for Orlando Pirates. Considered as one of Mzansi's best shot-stoppers, it is sad the fans never got to see him play more.
David Zulu (28)
The now Kaizer Chiefs man was previously on the books of Black Leopards in the NFD before making his move to the Absa Premiership with Chippa United at the start of this season. This was the first season he really had a crack at South Africa's top-flight division, at the age of 28, and his impressive form saw him join Kaizer Chiefs.
Who else can you add to this list?
