After dominating the Old Firm derby, Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya must now displace South Africa regulars to cement his international future under demanding head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Makhanya has impressed everyone at Rangers since joining the club from MLS side Philadelphia this summer on a 3.5 million euros fee. The Light Blues' head coach Derek McInnes has put significant faith in him as he is now leading the defensive lines regularly alongside Emmanuel Fernandez. The Rangers backline helped the team register two consecutive clean sheet victories against eternal rivals Celtic ahead of the international break.
South Africa National Team boss Mosimane has challenged the 22-year-old now to fight for a starting role in his squad. The Bafana Bafana reached the 2026 World Cup Round of 32, losing 1-0 to Canada in the stage to depart from the competition. Makhanya remains capped just once by his national team. He made his South Africa debut in a friendly match against Nicaragua in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Speaking to Sportswire, Misomane noted how Makhanya was during the Old Firm derby when his headed goal was ruled out because of a handball. The boss is aware of the Stellenbosch youth academy product's talent and, therefore, has urged him to put pressure on the players ahead of him in the starting eleven selection for the national team.
“If you understand, if you follow football properly, you don’t play the Glasgow Derby if you don’t have the mental capacity, even when we talk about talent, right?” Mosimane said.
“It’s a big stage, and when you play it away, this time last week it was at home.
“And yeah, I thought the goal he scored would be allowed. It’s what I crack up about, but unfortunately, the ball hit the hand before. It’s unfortunate, you know?
Makhanya signed for MLS outfits Philadelphia Union in 2023 from Stellenbosch after winning the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player Award. He was the American side's first U-22 initiative signing.
On 30 July 2026, he made the switch to Rangers and has featured in six Scottish Premiership games, two Scottish League Cup fixtures, two UEFA Conference League qualifiers, and one UEFA Europa League qualifying match.
South Africa face Guinea and Eritrea in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during the international break. It remains to be seen whether Makhanya gets minutes for his country after sitting on the bench throughout the World Cup.
