Stellenbosch FC focused on retaining their status in HWBSL Amplified campaign

The Cape Winelands outfit enters the 2026 Super League season as relative newcomers after acquiring the status of the University of Cape Town. Stellies will compete in Division 1 of the revamped competition, known as the Super Era.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Peskin says the club’s focus this season is to learn as much as possible and establish themselves in the league.

"Just to come in as a team, I realise that we need a lot of experience, and we are going to need to establish ourselves. We need to be able to play within our abilities but learn and grow as we go along and settle down once we get accustomed to the conditions, the traveling, and all of those things. And then hopefully just be able to play good football during the rest of the season, " said Peskin.

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Stellenbosch is grouped alongside some of the league’s powerhouse teams in the Super Era stream, including Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and TS Galaxy Queens. However, Peskin says there would not have been an easy group for a side entering the competition for the first time.

"Look, we've got Sundowns in there, we've got TS Galaxy, UWC in there, so it's a bit of a group of death. I don't think for us as newbies any group would be any easier. So what we have to do is take it step by step and be realistic about our expectations, play as well as we can, and, like I said, learn and grow."

Peskin also believes he has assembled a balanced squad after retaining several former UCT players while adding a few new recruits ahead of the new season.

Stellenbosch FC Ladies will open their campaign with an away fixture against the University of Johannesburg at UJ Stadium on 23 May.