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Olwethu Makhanya has made himself a player to watch at Rangers, earning the Scottish Premiership’s September player of the month award after establishing himself at the heart of the defence. Interest from clubs across Europe’s top five leagues has followed, giving the 22-year-old South African an early test of his ability to sustain high standards under scrutiny.
The award comes after a month in which Rangers won all four of their league fixtures and conceded only once across five matches in all competitions. Makhanya played every minute of those five games, including a 1-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead following the sides’ League Cup quarter-final meeting.
Beating Celtic twice in quick succession demands more than sound defending. Rangers needed their back line to withstand pressure in hostile surroundings, and Makhanya earned recognition during a spell when mistakes could have proved costly. His immediate value lies in delivering dependable performances without requiring an extended settling-in period.
Olwethu Makhanya offers more than defensive resistance
His first six league appearances produced four clean sheets in 540 minutes, alongside a reported average match rating of 7.46. Across his first five games, he made 20 clearances, five interceptions and four blocks, with his clearance total subsequently reaching 24.
Those numbers point to a defender willing to deal decisively with danger. His aerial record also deserves attention: he won 13 of 24 duels in the air during his first five appearances, ranking third among Rangers players in that category.
Makhanya has also shown composure when Rangers have possession. He completed 85.2% of his 323 passes in the reported sample. Against St Mirren, he found a team-mate with 62 of 67 attempts, including five successful progressive passes from seven attempts and five completed long balls from seven.
That range matters in tactical terms. A centre-back who can defend his penalty area and move possession into advanced areas gives his team another option when opponents press aggressively. Makhanya has also registered four dribbles and created four scoring chances in his early appearances, adding evidence of his willingness to contribute beyond his core defensive duties.
According to reports, clubs in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are monitoring his progress, although no formal bids have been confirmed.
His career has already taken him from Marumo Gallants’ reserve team to Stellenbosch FC, Philadelphia Union and now Rangers. He has also represented Bafana Bafana in recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.
The next challenge is consistency. September has given Makhanya an award and a wider audience; maintaining his level against different attacking styles will determine whether that attention develops into concrete transfer interest.
