Percy Tau recently became the 14th South African to play in the Premier League. He made his debut for Brighton & Hove Albion in their FA Cup third-round victory over Newport County and then appeared in the top flight for the first time in the Seagull’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City three days later. There have only been a handful of truly memorable South African stars in the top division of English football, and Tau has the potential to go on to top the list.

Tau Took The Long Route to First Brighton Appearance

Tau’s first appearance for Brighton had been a long time coming. The former Mamelodi Sundowns player joined the south coast club in 2018 but was forced to go out on loan for two and a half seasons. This was due to a work permit issue, but also because the manager at the time, Chris Hughton, wanted Tau to gain European experience.

Tau’s signing reportedly cost the Seagulls £2.7 million, which was a record sale for a domestic South African player. The scouting network at the Premier League club had obviously seen Tau’s potential and could envisage where his attacking nature could fit in at the Amex Stadium.

It seems that Tau’s time out on loan has been highly beneficial to the player’s development. He initially joined Union SG for the 2018-19 campaign and scored six goals in 23 league showings. This earned him the Player of the Season award. It also attracted the attention of bigger clubs and greased the wheels for his move to Club Brugge the following season. His form there was impressive as well, and the 26-year-old notched three goals in 18 league appearances.

Could Thrive in the Playmaker Role

Now that Tau has been able to finally make the move to Brighton, he has shown that he is ready to slot straight into Graham Potter’s exciting, attacking side when called upon. The South African may not be a first-team player yet due to Potter’s array of options in the final third, but he will definitely be a useful player to have on hand as the season enters its final stages. He has shown great playmaking qualities, and as he develops further he could turn into a serious attacking threat in the years ahead.

Brighton will need all hands on deck over the final third of the campaign as they try to stave off being sucked into a relegation battle. After 24 games played, the Seagulls were eight points clear of the drop zone. At this point, they could be backed at 20/1 to be relegated with Betway, one of the top online bookmakers in Africa. It has received strong reviews thanks to its 100 per cent deposit match bonus for new players, which is highly competitive. South Africans enjoy betting on football and may be interested in betting on the positive effect that Tau’s presence will have on Brighton’s Premier League success. Fans wanting to do so will be able to read more about recommended deposit methods, as well as mobile betting.

Which Other Notable South Africans Have Played in England?

For Tau to reach the stage of being considered the best South African player in Premier League history, he will have to establish himself as a regular on Potter’s side. He will also have to achieve greater feats than some of his countrymen who have played in England over the years. This may be difficult, as the main contenders for the crown are Steven Pienaar and Lucas Radebe.

Difficult match tonight for @LUFC always watching! #MOT 🤍💛💙 pic.twitter.com/Zzc5GfMgWf

— Lucas Radebe (@LucasRadebe) December 5, 2020

Pienaar had two stints as a regular for Everton, which sandwiched a short period at Tottenham Hotspur. In total, the former South Africa captain made 147 league appearances for the Toffees and is one of the most memorable players in their recent history. Most people would agree, though, that Radebe is the best South African to have played in the Premier League. He made 201 top-flight appearances for Leeds United during one of the club’s most successful periods between 1994 and 2005.

As a mainstay in the South African national team, Tau’s compatriots know exactly what he is capable of. Now, it is time for him to show the Premier League what he can do. If he manages to cement his position in the Brighton first team, he could one day be considered among the greatest South African players in English football history.