Kaizer Chiefs’ Baartman tells Da Cruz where he likes to play

Kaizer Chiefs forward Luke Baartman has reflected on his rapid rise at Naturena this season, shedding light on his preferred attacking role and his growing importance under head coach Fernando Da Cruz.

The 20-year-old has emerged as a cornerstone of the Amakhosi attack in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign, enjoying a dramatic turnaround after a quiet debut season.

Since Da Cruz took the reins during the off-season, Baartman has already racked up eight appearances across all competitions and found the back of the net once.

The South African youth international joined Chiefs on a free transfer from Cape Town Spurs ahead of the 2025/26 campaign following the Mother City outfit’s relegation to the ABC Motsepe League.

Baartman on his change of fortunes

After finding minutes hard to come by and making just seven appearances in his entire first year, Baartman has eclipsed that tally in only the opening two months of the current campaign.

Speaking to the media during a South Africa Under-23 gathering at Clapham High School in Queenswood, Pretoria, Baartman credited Da Cruz for showing faith in his abilities, while offering insight into his versatility across the frontline.

“It has been a positive start for me. Being involved in every league match so far means a lot,” Baartman explained as quoted by FARPost.

“My main goal is to maintain this work ethic and keep earning minutes, because staying active at club level is the only way to secure a national team call-up.”

Where does Chiefs star like to play?

While the tactician has deployed Baartman out wide, in the number 10 pocket, and as a fluid false nine, the youngster made no secret of where he feels most lethal.

“I was fortunate to come through a fantastic development setup at Cape Town Spurs, which prepared me to slot in anywhere across the front line,” Baartman said. “However, if you ask me, my primary position is as an outright number nine, followed closely by the false nine role.”

Da Cruz has so far been using Baartman as a false nine and looks to be a position he is enjoying even if he would prefer to be the out-and-out striker.