Van Wyk Explains Sundowns Move, Citing Trophy Ambition Over European Stay

Antonio van Wyk, the 24-year-old winger, has articulated the motivations behind his recent transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns, marking his return to South African football after a two-season stint in Austria. Van Wyk, who officially joined the Brazilians in June 2026 as the first signing under new head coach Miguel Cardoso, cited the club's established winning pedigree and the prospect of consistently competing for trophies as paramount to his decision.

Speaking on the Sundowns Pitchside Podcast, Van Wyk underscored the allure of a club synonymous with success. "I would say the history of the club, trophies as well," Van Wyk stated. "It's guaranteed that this team will win a trophy or two every season." This ambition to accumulate silverware was a driving force, with the player expressing a desire to build a decorated career. "Obviously that's a big aspect, as a player you obviously wanna be a decorated player in terms of trophies and numbers as well," he added. "So, I thought to help my game, I'm going to have to take the next step. And if it's not in Europe, it should be the African champions."

Van Wyk's European journey saw him spend two seasons with SV RiedTeam·SV Ried, following his departure from Stellenbosch FC at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. During his time in Austria, he played a significant role in SV RiedTeam·SV Ried's promotion to the Austrian BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga in his inaugural season and contributed to their top-flight status retention in the 2025/26 season. Across 53 appearances, Van Wyk registered four goals and seven assists, an experience he believes transformed him into a more complete player, adapting to a different culture and the physical demands of European football.

Mamelodi Sundowns concluded a highly successful 2025/26 season by securing the CAF Champions League title, defeating Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat with a 2-1 aggregate score. This triumph not only ended a decade-long pursuit of the continental crown but also earned them berths in the 2029 FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Domestically, Sundowns finished second in the South African PremiershipCompetition·South African Premiership, just one point behind Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates, with a record of 20 wins, 8 draws, and 2 losses. Van Wyk's arrival is poised to bolster Sundowns' attacking options as they prepare for the 2026/27 season, aiming to reclaim the Betway Premiership title and defend their CAF Champions League crown. His versatility as a winger capable of operating on both flanks, coupled with his explosive and direct style, aligns with Sundowns' strategic approach of repatriating talented South African players, a trend previously seen with the signings of Tashreeq MatthewsPlayer·Tashreeq Matthews and Kubamelo.

The 2026/27 Betway Premiership season for Mamelodi Sundowns will see them face TS Galaxy in an away fixture on August 11, following the postponement of their initial match against Marumo Gallants.