Thabang Matuludi has made an impressive start to life at Mamelodi Sundowns, quickly establishing himself as an important member of the reigning South African champions following his move from Polokwane City.

The 27-year-old right-back joined Sundowns in September 2026 and has already achieved a notable milestone, featuring in four different competitions across his first four official appearances for the Pretoria-based club.

Matuludi’s Sundowns journey began on the international stage when he featured against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup, part of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. He played 85 minutes and made an important contribution by providing an assist as Sundowns secured a memorable victory.

The defender then continued his impressive transition into the squad by starting the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Matuludi completed the entire match and helped Sundowns defeat their rivals to lift the trophy, giving him his first major piece of silverware shortly after joining the club.

His next appearance came in the Betway Premiership, where he again played all 90 minutes as Sundowns produced an emphatic 4-1 victory over Richards Bay. The rapid sequence of matches demonstrated his ability to adapt to different competitions and demands while maintaining a high level of performance.

Matuludi’s development has been particularly notable because of his positional transformation. He previously operated as an attacking midfielder at Polokwane City before successfully converting into a defender. His consistency at right-back eventually earned him recognition at international level, including opportunities with Bafana Bafana.

His versatility, work rate and ability to contribute in attack have made him a valuable option for head coach Miguel Cardoso as Sundowns balance domestic and continental commitments.

With the 2026/27 campaign still in its early stages, Matuludi will now be expected to maintain his strong form as he competes for a regular place in one of South Africa’s most successful squads.

Source:

https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2110712353029230690