Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has opened up on what makes Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi a special player.

Mbokazi has quickly established himself as one of the undroppables both in the national team and his club in a short period, having made his senior debut for Pirates last season.

So good is the 20-year-old that he is already among the captains at Pirates while his fearlessness and maturity are of a seasoned player.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Iqraam Rayners in training with Bafana Bafana. Photo SAFA

The left-footed centre-back is never afraid of the stage or opposition and commands the backline to the extent that experienced teammates are now listening to him.

Williams in awe of ‘generational talent’ TLB

Speaking on the Arena Sports Show, Williams explained how he was taken aback by Mbokazi during their time together in the national team.

“No, he is special,” the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper admitted. “You know when they say, there's a generational talent or someone comes along and he just awes everyone, that's him.”

Ronwen Williams on Mbekezeli Mbokazi. 🤣😂😅

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“And he is so quiet -doesn't speak a lot. The guys are always teasing him because of the type of person he is, but amazing… amazing talent, how calm he is,” he added.

“When we played Lesotho -So, you know, as a full-back – Aubrey [Modiba] was telling us the story. Aubrey is used to covering when it's a long ball. [Mbokazi], he said ‘ehy ungangeni sala la’ [don't go in, stay where you're], and normally centre backs must cover and track the runner,” Williams laughingly revealed.

Mbokazi brought calmness against Nigeria

Williams then explained how fearless Mbokazi really is, sharing how the other players were nervous over playing the star-studded Nigeria in their World Cup qualifier in September, but the Pirates youngster stayed levelheaded and urged them to be calm.

“You know he was feeling it, [Samukelo] Kabini was a bit nervous, and you can see TLB is trying to help him, it was second half, and he was like if you're still not comfortable by second half ‘ehy qina marn' [be strong],” added Williams.

“That is the character and spirit that he brings, but he doesn't mean anything bad – he just wants everyone to rise up to the challenge.

Can the Pirates defender maintain his great run?

“He carried us in that second half, because you could see the guys, it was a very difficult game, so physical. Nigeria had everything. They went man-to-man, they were physical, and he stood up in the second half.

“As young as he is, the blocks he made, the tackles he made, and I was like tjo no he is special.”

Mbokazi, who has 36 appearances for Pirates since bursting onto the scene, has earned four Bafana Bafana caps so far but he is in line for more while he will be among those at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.