Betway Premiership

Stellies’ Lee Langeveldt Retires After 21-Year Career

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Retiring Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Lee-Raoul Langeveldt is given a guard of honour after finishing his last match for Stellenbosch FC during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 football match between Stellenbosch FC and Orbit College FC held at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa on 16 May 2026 © Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

Stellenbosch FC legend Lee Langeveldt has called time on his illustrious 21-year playing career.

Langeveldt took the field for the last time when he came on in the 82nd minute in their 2-0 win over Orbit College at Danie Craven Stadium on 17 May.

The 39-year-old has kept 39 clean sheets in 83 appearances across all competitions.

He has played for the likes of NMMU FC, Western Province United, Kjøbenhavns Boldklub, Santos FC, Milano United, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch FC.

“It was always my dream to play professionally, but at the time you had to go to Cape Town, to Santos, Hellenic, or Ajax Cape Town, or, and I was fortunate to get an opportunity at the School of Excellence in PE,” Langeveldt told the Stellenbosch website.

“I was so excited when I received the call,” he says. “I think the whole town was excited to finally have a professional team in Stellenbosch, and the opportunity for me to come back and play for the community was incredibly special.

“Playing football was always my dream, but to get the chance to do it in my hometown is something that I will always be grateful for.

“There were too many emotions and too many feelings to properly describe it, but it was a special, special moment for me,” he shares on the experience. “To have my sendoff in front of family and friends in Stellenbosch was unforgettable.

“I knew it was coming because coach Gavin [Hunt] came to me earlier in the week and said he was going to give me a sendoff, but I told him the three points were more important. If we were leading, then bring me on, but otherwise no, and thankfully, we were at the time.

“It’s funny because coach P [Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper coach, Pernell McKop] called me on the bench and told me to warm up. I said, ‘Just put me on, it’s fine’. Then the first corner came in, and I went up to catch it, but my legs didn’t‎ want to work. All I remember thinking was that I should have warmed up!

“But no, it was unforgettable, and I just feel really blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve had. It was an incredible full circle moment to have started my career as a junior at Idas Valley Football Club and then to end it at Stellenbosch FC. It’s a day I will never forget,” he concluded.