REVEALED: How Nike identified SA golden boy Witbooi

President of Roc Nation Sports International Michael Yormark has revealed how the Nike's partnership with Emile Witbooi came about…

Matchday Global21 May 2026

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The president of Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) Michael Yormark revealed to KickOff how the partnership between Nike and South African wonderkid Emile Witbooi came about.

Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s brightest young talents, Witbooi has rapidly risen to prominence both locally and internationally.

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This season, he has firmly established himself in the first team at Cape Town Spurs, helping the club secure a play-off spot for promotion to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership.

At just 17 years old, Witbooi recently signed an endorsement deal with sportswear giant Nike.

Speaking to KickOff at an exclusive media roundtable discussion in Cape Town earlier this week, Yormark lifted the lid on how the deal came together.

The agreement was made even more impressive by the fact that it was signed while Witbooi was playing in South Africa’s second division.

"While Cape Town was relegated, it didn't take away anything from who Emile is as a football player," Yormark said speaking to KickOff.

"So when Nike is looking at athletes, they're not going to not have interest in somebody like Emile because the team was relegated."

The head of RNSI said the sport brand see the future.

"Nike is about telling stories and they see the Emile story as a great story," he said adding that the brand see the youngster as somebody that can carry the South African flag into Europe and do 'super special things'.

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"I spent a lot of time with Emile, I had dinner with him when I was here a couple of weeks ago. He's a great young kid," averred Yormark averred, who also described Witbooi as ambitious.

"He wants to be great. He's willing to put in the work."

"So, Nike identified some of the best young talent in all of Africa. They said: 'Michael, we would love to partner with him because we see the upside. We see the future. We see the opportunity.' That's how the deal came about."