South Africa will once again have a representative in arguably the best league in the world, the English Premiership.

Over the years and since the establishment of the Premier League in 1992, South Africa has had 17 players participate in the league.

The last player to do so was Lyle Foster, who starred for Burnley in the 2023/24 season, but they were relegated after just a season in the top-flight.

Foster remained with the Clarets, who campaigned in the Championship, the second tier of English football, this season.

On Monday, 21 April, Burnley secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League alongside Leeds United, much to the delight of Foster and his team.

The 24-year-old has featured 27 times, and in a season blighted by injury, he’s managed two goals and five assists along the way.

Interestingly, Foster was on the verge of leaving Burnley for Ipswich Town in August last year for a fee of £25 million (R626 million). Ipswich was Premier League-bound at the time after winning promotion, but their stay was shortlived and have now been relegated back to the Championship.

Foster would be relieved that he’s stayed put after Burnley’s latest success.

Born in Noordgesig, a township around Soweto, Foster can lay claim to being one of very few South Africans to have graced the Premier League.

Others that have played there include Mark Stein, Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler, Mark Fish, Quinton Fortune, Aaron Mokoena, Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Matthew Pattison, Mbulelo Mabizela, Tokelo Rantie, Percy Tau, and Khanya Leshabela.