Defenders

Thapelo Morena

The speedster has enjoyed an excellent campaign, earning himself a Bafana Bafana recall. Most of his outings have been at right back and his defensive work has been strong, with his attacking thrusts typically dangerous. He set up several chances in the win against SuperSport United and, in the two games where Sundowns leaked goals in the PSL (3-3 and 0-2 vs. AmaZulu), both came when Morena was on the bench. He even started as a striker against Highlands Park, contributing a goal and an assist. 8/10

Anele Ngcongca

The vastly experienced fullback has had a typically steady season. He has started seven matches in the league (three clean sheets), providing one assist. His knowhow has seen him come on as a substitute to help see out games, but he is very much behind Morena in the pecking order and has not offered much attacking threat when he plays. His vast experience and defensive nous are often called upon in away CAF Champions League matches, making him an important option for the coach. 6/10

Rivaldo Coetzee

The 22-year-old centre-back has finally put his foot injury nightmare behind him and started to play matches for the club. He made his debut in late November, and has played in six matches in total, including the wins against SuperSport and Kaizer Chiefs. He excelled in both games but has found himself on the bench for Downs’ last four league games and last three CAF Champions League clashes as he is fourth in centre-back pecking order. 6/10

Ricardo Nascimento

The Brazilian has been a mainstay for the Tshwane giants this season. In league action, he has played 14 out of 17 matches, keeping an incredible 10 clean sheets. He has also scored three goals for the side, including two from the penalty spot. Despite having to play on the right of the pairing on his wrong foot when fellow left-footer Lebusa is selected alongside him, he has adapted to this challenge without missing a beat. Though he may lack pace, his reading of the game has been immense and his ball-playing ability and composure (besides a red card for an aggressive reaction to the referee against Highlands Park) are his hallmarks. Sundowns have the best defence in the league largely down to his form, which should land him a nomination or two for the end-of-season PSL awards. 9/10

Mosa Lebusa

The former Ajax Cape Town captain has excelled after a slow start. He did not play at all in the opening seven PSL matches but has started eight of the last 10 league games, keeping three clean sheets. He has also started six of the seven continental matches this season, helping Downs to a further three shutouts and he scored in the 3-1 win against ASEC Mimosas. He has played at centre-back in 17 of his 19 starts, with just two games at left back, where he provided one assist. His form in recent months has been excellent, despite giving away a penalty against each of Baroka and ASEC Mimosas. He has shown leadership and great reading of the game. 8/10

Motjeka Madisha

This season has been a mixed one for the 24-year-old. Despite being a regular in the Bafana squad, he has not played consistently for a number of months. In total, he has played 769 minutes all season, amounting to 8.5 full games on the pitch. He started six of the team’s first 12 PSL matches and twice in the MTN8, as the side kept five clean sheets in those games. Since then, he has barely featured, playing just 103 minutes in the last 16 matches. He is now very much fifth in the central defensive pecking order. 6/10

Wayne Arendse

Despite being 34 years old, Arendse is still very much in the coach’s plans. He has started 15 games across all competitions this season, keeping a very impressive nine clean sheets. He has only started five times in the league, but when it comes to tough continental matches, he is often given the nod. He scored one goal in the MTN8, against Golden Arrows. His performances are always reliable and steady and his understanding with Nascimento is really strong. 7/10

Tebogo Langerman

Now well into his 30s, this has been a less impressive season than usual for Langerman as he shares minutes with Lyle Lakay. In the PSL, Langerman has started nine out of 17 matches, helping Sundowns to five clean sheets. In the CAF Champions League, he has been selected for just one of the club’s eight matches in the current campaign. He scored a poor own goal in the league defeat to AmaZulu and some of his defensive work has been below-par, whilst his previously famed attacking game has also taken a dip. He remains a good squad player but is no longer the undisputed first choice in the role. 6/10

Lyle Lakay

He spent time on trial at Sundowns in November 2013 as a left back but was not signed. This off-season, Pitso Mosimane moved for his man again and moved him into a fullback role as he did recently with Morena. His first six months have been really impressive. Going forward, he has scored two goals and contributed three assists. He has started six out of eight CAF Champions League matches and done really well, while he has helped Downs to five clean sheets in his eight league starts. His defensive work is not perfect yet, but in one vs. one defending, he has really excelled with his aggressive, tenacious style. He has also made one start in midfield and appeared several times from the bench as a winger or even as a central midfielder in a three. 7.5/10