THE big leagues in Europe kick off this weekend, and Sowetan brings you a guide to our overseas stars for the 2012-13 season.
Sherwin Bailey (Lokeren, Belgium)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Bailey has only just completed his move to Belgium from the ASD Academy in Cape Town, following the same route as rising star Ayanda Patosi. The central midfielder is tipped to be a big talent in the future.
Jonathan Brown (Brechin City, Scotland)
Age: 22
Position: Defender
Brown was once on the books of Scottish top-flight side Hearts and is a junior international in that country, but the centre-back has seen his star wane in recent times and he now campaigns in the Scottish third tier.
Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Claasen is one of the best midfielders in Belgium and would have moved to a bigger European league in this transfer window had he not been struck down by a knee injury. His time will come as he is too good for modest side Lierse.
Lance Davids (Lierse, Belgium)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Davids is eager to leave Lierse after falling out of favour with his coach, but is battling to find any takers.
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Dikgacoi is set to be a regular at English Championship Crystal Palace this season, though possibly in an unfamiliar wide role in midfield.
Cheyne Fowler (VPS, Finland)
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
Cape Town-born Fowler is now in his tenth season in Finland, where he has enjoyed great success. He has moved to mid-table side VPS for this season, where he has been playing in central defence, despite spending much of his career in midfield.
Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic, England)
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Furman will once again skipper English League One side Oldham Athletic this season and hope to help them to promotion after a disappointing 16th-place finish in the last campaign.
Devon Jacobs (Berwick Rangers, Scotland)
Age: 21
Position: Defender
The twin brother of Kyle Jacobs, Devon has not enjoyed as much success as his brother.
Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston, Scotland)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
The oldest and the best of the Jacobs brothers, Keaghan campaigns in the Scottish second tier, but has been eyed by a number of Premier League clubs. An attacking midfielder, he brings goals to the side and is a regular when fit.
Kyle Jacobs (Livingston)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Kyle is currently injured, but had his breakthrough season at Livingston last season and is likely to feature regularly again in this campaign once he is fit.
Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium)
Age: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Keet has been handed the No1 jersey at Kortrijk this season after doing his apprenticeship in his first campaign in Belgium last year. The former Bidvest Wits stopper will hope his performances catch the eye of national team coach Gordon Igesund.
Bongani Khumalo (PAOK, Greece, on loan)
Age: 25
Position: Defender
Khumalo is on loan in Greece from Tottenham Hotspur and will hope that he can finally make the breakthrough in Europe after almost two years of frustration with injury and non-selection. He has started well with his new club.
May Mahlangu (Helsingborg, Sweden)
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
Until recently Mahlangu seemed to have gone off the boil after the highs of being named Swedish League Player of the Year in 2011 and helping his side to a league and cup double. But he looks back at his dominant best.
Masilo Modubi (Dessel Sport, Belgium)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Modubi is making a return to professional football after missing the entire 2011-12 season having failed to find a club after his exit from Belgian side Westerlo. He is back in that country, but this time in the second tier with ambitious Dessel Sport.
Kamohelo Mokotjo (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Mokotjo will be hoping this is his big year at Feyenoord, having been on the fringes of the first team for the past two campaigns.
Dino Ndlovu (Bnei Yahuda, Israel)
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Ndlovu is days away from making a move to top Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, having impressed in his first season in Israel last year with Bnei Yehuda. He could come into the national team reckoning soon.
Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium)
Age: 24
Position: Defender
Ngcongca recently expressed a desire to return to the PSL to be close to his family, but as one of the top defenders in Belgium, there is little chance of that. He has been converted to centre-back from right-back this season and has fitted in well there.
Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough United, England)
Age: 18
Position: Defender
The national Under-20 left-back is just starting his career but looks an excellent prospect.
Ricardo Nunes (MSK Zilina, Slovakia)
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Little-known Nunes has spent all of his career in Portugal, and then lately Slovakia with top side MSK Zilina. He can play as a left-winger or left-back.
Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Arguably the rising star of South African football, Patosi enjoyed a good first season in Belgium with Lokeren last year, helping them to domestic cup success. Although he sees himself as a playmaker behind the strikers, he has been used wide on the left by Lokeren this season and is tipped to be a star of the Belgian league.
Steven Pienaar (Everton, England)
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
South Africa's most experienced current export has returned to his beloved Everton for a fourth spell with The Toffees and will once again be their key creative influence in midfield. His aim will be to help the club qualify for Europe next season and possibly pick up a cup win as well.
Reyaad Pieterse (Shamrock Rovers, Rep of Ireland)
Age: 20
Position: Goalkeeper
Pieterse joined Shamrock Rovers in February from the Bidvest Wits Academy after catching the eye of the Republic of Ireland club when he won through to the last eight of Nike's 'The Chance' talent competition. He has mostly played back-up to the Swede, Oscar Jansson, so far.
Bradley Ralani (Landskrona, Sweden)
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Ralani has been compared to compatriot May Mahlangu in the past, but injuries in the past two years have stunted his progress and he remains at Swedish second-tier side Landskrona. If he can stay fit, he is a wonderful attacking player.
Tokelo Rantie (Malmo, Sweden)
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Rantie finally completed a 17-month loan to top Swedish side Malmo from Hasselholm this week, ending the hopes of the Orlando Pirates faithful that he would return to the club for this season after a successful loan spell last season. But he always had his heart set on a return to Europe.
Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
After a disappointing first 12 months in Amsterdam blighted by injury and subsequent weight gain, Serero has had a fine pre-season and began the 2012-13 campaign as a starter. That is likely to remain the case if he can stay injury-free, which he says is more likely now that his body has acclimatised to the punishing physical demands of the European game.
Davide Somma (Leeds United, England)
Age: 27
Position: Striker
Somma's career hangs by a thread after almost 14 months out with a serious knee injury. He has not been given a squad number by Leeds United for this season and a return date is uncertain for now.
Andrew Surman (Norwich City, England)
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Although Surman has so far turned down the opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana, the closer the 2014 Fifa World Cup gets, the more likely the chances that he will change his mind if asked again. The left-winger was a star for Norwich City in the Premiership last season, and brings creativity and goals to their midfield.
Brad Wexler (Marítimo, Portugal)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Wexler joined Portuguese side Maritimo in January and has been campaigning for the club's B side. A South African Under-20 international, the attacking midfielder has shown great promise, but is nowhere near the Maritimo first team and might benefit from a loan spell.
The who's who of SA players in Europe
THE big leagues in Europe kick off this weekend, and Sowetan brings you a guide to our overseas stars for the 2012-13 season.
Sherwin Bailey (Lokeren, Belgium)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Bailey has only just completed his move to Belgium from the ASD Academy in Cape Town, following the same route as rising star Ayanda Patosi. The central midfielder is tipped to be a big talent in the future.
Jonathan Brown (Brechin City, Scotland)
Age: 22
Position: Defender
Brown was once on the books of Scottish top-flight side Hearts and is a junior international in that country, but the centre-back has seen his star wane in recent times and he now campaigns in the Scottish third tier.
Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Claasen is one of the best midfielders in Belgium and would have moved to a bigger European league in this transfer window had he not been struck down by a knee injury. His time will come as he is too good for modest side Lierse.
Lance Davids (Lierse, Belgium)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Davids is eager to leave Lierse after falling out of favour with his coach, but is battling to find any takers.
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Dikgacoi is set to be a regular at English Championship Crystal Palace this season, though possibly in an unfamiliar wide role in midfield.
Cheyne Fowler (VPS, Finland)
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
Cape Town-born Fowler is now in his tenth season in Finland, where he has enjoyed great success. He has moved to mid-table side VPS for this season, where he has been playing in central defence, despite spending much of his career in midfield.
Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic, England)
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Furman will once again skipper English League One side Oldham Athletic this season and hope to help them to promotion after a disappointing 16th-place finish in the last campaign.
Devon Jacobs (Berwick Rangers, Scotland)
Age: 21
Position: Defender
The twin brother of Kyle Jacobs, Devon has not enjoyed as much success as his brother.
Keaghan Jacobs (Livingston, Scotland)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
The oldest and the best of the Jacobs brothers, Keaghan campaigns in the Scottish second tier, but has been eyed by a number of Premier League clubs. An attacking midfielder, he brings goals to the side and is a regular when fit.
Kyle Jacobs (Livingston)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Kyle is currently injured, but had his breakthrough season at Livingston last season and is likely to feature regularly again in this campaign once he is fit.
Darren Keet (KV Kortrijk, Belgium)
Age: 23
Position: Goalkeeper
Keet has been handed the No1 jersey at Kortrijk this season after doing his apprenticeship in his first campaign in Belgium last year. The former Bidvest Wits stopper will hope his performances catch the eye of national team coach Gordon Igesund.
Bongani Khumalo (PAOK, Greece, on loan)
Age: 25
Position: Defender
Khumalo is on loan in Greece from Tottenham Hotspur and will hope that he can finally make the breakthrough in Europe after almost two years of frustration with injury and non-selection. He has started well with his new club.
May Mahlangu (Helsingborg, Sweden)
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
Until recently Mahlangu seemed to have gone off the boil after the highs of being named Swedish League Player of the Year in 2011 and helping his side to a league and cup double. But he looks back at his dominant best.
Masilo Modubi (Dessel Sport, Belgium)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Modubi is making a return to professional football after missing the entire 2011-12 season having failed to find a club after his exit from Belgian side Westerlo. He is back in that country, but this time in the second tier with ambitious Dessel Sport.
Kamohelo Mokotjo (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Mokotjo will be hoping this is his big year at Feyenoord, having been on the fringes of the first team for the past two campaigns.
Dino Ndlovu (Bnei Yahuda, Israel)
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Ndlovu is days away from making a move to top Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, having impressed in his first season in Israel last year with Bnei Yehuda. He could come into the national team reckoning soon.
Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium)
Age: 24
Position: Defender
Ngcongca recently expressed a desire to return to the PSL to be close to his family, but as one of the top defenders in Belgium, there is little chance of that. He has been converted to centre-back from right-back this season and has fitted in well there.
Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough United, England)
Age: 18
Position: Defender
The national Under-20 left-back is just starting his career but looks an excellent prospect.
Ricardo Nunes (MSK Zilina, Slovakia)
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Little-known Nunes has spent all of his career in Portugal, and then lately Slovakia with top side MSK Zilina. He can play as a left-winger or left-back.
Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren, Belgium)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Arguably the rising star of South African football, Patosi enjoyed a good first season in Belgium with Lokeren last year, helping them to domestic cup success. Although he sees himself as a playmaker behind the strikers, he has been used wide on the left by Lokeren this season and is tipped to be a star of the Belgian league.
Steven Pienaar (Everton, England)
Age: 30
Position: Midfielder
South Africa's most experienced current export has returned to his beloved Everton for a fourth spell with The Toffees and will once again be their key creative influence in midfield. His aim will be to help the club qualify for Europe next season and possibly pick up a cup win as well.
Reyaad Pieterse (Shamrock Rovers, Rep of Ireland)
Age: 20
Position: Goalkeeper
Pieterse joined Shamrock Rovers in February from the Bidvest Wits Academy after catching the eye of the Republic of Ireland club when he won through to the last eight of Nike's 'The Chance' talent competition. He has mostly played back-up to the Swede, Oscar Jansson, so far.
Bradley Ralani (Landskrona, Sweden)
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Ralani has been compared to compatriot May Mahlangu in the past, but injuries in the past two years have stunted his progress and he remains at Swedish second-tier side Landskrona. If he can stay fit, he is a wonderful attacking player.
Tokelo Rantie (Malmo, Sweden)
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Rantie finally completed a 17-month loan to top Swedish side Malmo from Hasselholm this week, ending the hopes of the Orlando Pirates faithful that he would return to the club for this season after a successful loan spell last season. But he always had his heart set on a return to Europe.
Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
After a disappointing first 12 months in Amsterdam blighted by injury and subsequent weight gain, Serero has had a fine pre-season and began the 2012-13 campaign as a starter. That is likely to remain the case if he can stay injury-free, which he says is more likely now that his body has acclimatised to the punishing physical demands of the European game.
Davide Somma (Leeds United, England)
Age: 27
Position: Striker
Somma's career hangs by a thread after almost 14 months out with a serious knee injury. He has not been given a squad number by Leeds United for this season and a return date is uncertain for now.
Andrew Surman (Norwich City, England)
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Although Surman has so far turned down the opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana, the closer the 2014 Fifa World Cup gets, the more likely the chances that he will change his mind if asked again. The left-winger was a star for Norwich City in the Premiership last season, and brings creativity and goals to their midfield.
Brad Wexler (Marítimo, Portugal)
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Wexler joined Portuguese side Maritimo in January and has been campaigning for the club's B side. A South African Under-20 international, the attacking midfielder has shown great promise, but is nowhere near the Maritimo first team and might benefit from a loan spell.