Orlando Pirates move for Reece Braithwaite sparks legal tension

By Mazola Molefe
3rd December 2025

SABC Sport has learned that Cape Town Spurs are headed for a showdown with defender Reece Braithwaite at the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber – unless the player is issued a clearance before the end of the week.

Braithwaite, through his legal team, has repeatedly stated his intention to leave on a free transfer following Spurs’ relegation to the ABC Motsepe League and their subsequent reclassification as an amateur club.

The 20-year-old is eager to join Orlando Pirates and has already begun training with their DStv Diski Challenge side, with hopes of earning a swift promotion to the senior team.

It’s understood that the Buccaneers view Braithwaite as a long-term successor to evergreen utility player Deon Hotto, who turns 36 next year but continues to deliver consistently at topflight level.

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Spurs, however, maintain that Braithwaite – much like captain Asanele Velebayi, Luke Baartman and Liam Bern before him – remains contracted to the club and has been instructed to return to training.

The Urban Warriors appear ready to argue their case at the DRC once again, despite previous rulings that went against them and ultimately paved the way for Velebayi and Baartman to join Kaizer Chiefs, while Bern signed for AmaZulu.

Braithwaite has now issued Spurs with a firm ultimatum through his lawyers: grant the clearance by week’s end or face another battle before the DRC, where the outcome is widely expected to mirror previous decisions.