With Lyle Foster recently scoring in back-to-back matches for Burnley, Soccer Laduma takes a look at South Africa's top scorers in the (English) Premier League and how far he is from the top, where the legendary Benni McCarthy sits.
Foster, who is currently in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo, was on the scoresheet against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, but that was not enough to inspire Burnley to a victory. The records are only for goals the players scored in the league.
It's only Foster's first season in the Premier League and he could get more opportunities to find the back of the net and edge closer to the likes of Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett and Steven Pienaar, who have all scored 20 or more goals in the league.
Benni McCarthy - 37 goals
The retired Bafana Bafana star made 120 appearances in the Premier League over a period of six seasons and found the back of the net 37 times. All his goals were scored at Blackburn Rovers. He did not score during his time at West Ham United.
Shaun Bartlett - 21 goals
The Cape Town Spurs coach was with Charlton Athletic in the Premier League for a period of six years and he found the back of the net on 21 occasions. He made a total of 123 appearances for the club.
Steven Pienaar - 20 goals
The former Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland midfielder enjoyed a successful time in the Premier League, but was not on the scoresheet often in the nine years he spent in England. Pienaar made 214 appearances in the league and scored 20 times, together with 32 assists.
Quinton Fortune - Five goals
The former Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder scored all his five goals for the Red Devils, over a period of eight seasons. He made 82 appearances in the league during his playing days.
Phil Masinga - Five goals
The late Masinga was with Leeds United for two seasons and bagged five goals in 31 appearances during the time. All his goals were scored in his first season at the club, in 1994/95.
Mark Fish - Four goals
Not known for scoring goals, Fish did quite well as a defender to score four goals in the Premier League during his time at Charlton. He made 124 appearances for the club and contributed with two assists.
Mbulelo Mabizela - One goal
Signed by Spurs after impressing in the colours of Orlando Pirates, a lot was expected of Mabizela, but it didn't work out in England, with off the field behaviour playing a big role. In his seven appearances for Spurs, he scored a cracking goal on debut and it remains one of the club's most remembered strikes.
Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe and Kagisho Dikgacoi all scored during their times in England, but their goals were not in the league. Percy Tau did not score during his time in England.
