STELLENBOSCH – Family, friends, fans and acquaintances of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams will pay homage to the late soccer star during memorial services at the Stellenbosch Town Hall on Thursday 16 July.

Adams (25), who was part of the South African team’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign earlier this month, tragically died in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, on Saturday 11 July.

Western Cape police confirmed they have opened an inquest docket to determine the cause of death.

ALSO READ: South African World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25

Natural talent

The talented player, fondly known as “Grootman”, was born and raised in Cloetesville in Stellenbosch, where he first joined Glen Eagles FC before being scouted by Cape Town Spurs (then Ajax Cape Town).

The Stellenbosch FC Academy soon came knocking, with Adams becoming the academy’s graduate to make his professional debut for the Winelands’ PSL outfit at age 19 in the 2020-’21 season.

In the maroon jersey from 2020 to early last year, he took to the field for the club’s senior team 139 times, playing an indelible part in the team winning the Carling Knockcup Cup in 2023, before he joined Mamelodi Sundowns in January last year.

With The Brazilians, his natural footballing talent was on display in 67 appearances, scored six goals and aided in three, and he was part of club’s 2026 CAF Champions League victory.

Tributes pour in

The talented midfielder’s death has sent shockwaves across the globe and illicited comments and tributes from near and far. In his hometown of Stellenbosch, his family have been met with an overwhelming outpouring of love and support from people inside and outside the football fratenity.

On Monday 13 July, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan and a SAFA delegation visited the Adams’ family home in Ida’s Valley to pay his respect, while Stellenbosch mayor Jeremy Fasser and Western Cape MEC for Sport and Cultural Affairs were part of a delegation to sympathise with Adams’ parents, Juanito and Candice, on Tuesday 14 July.

“This is still so difficult to process, such a sad loss. Our sincere condolences to the family of Jayden Adams. He made tremendous progress and was included in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA. Jayden was included in the team for the FIFA World Cup matches,” said Jordaan.

“While in the United States we were informed about the loss of his grandmother. We were shocked and saddened when informed about the passing of Jayden this weekend, one of the talented footballers in our country. A sad loss of a young man. We express our sincere condolences to the family and the football families of Stellenbosch and Sundowns. A huge loss to our country’s football. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

ALSO READ: Bo-Kaap mourns Bafana Bafana star Jayden Adams

Global respect

Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka, who was part of the delegation that visited the Adams family said: “I am still in shock and do not know how to digest this tragedy. Honestly, I have no words.”

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos told www.safa.net: “My deepest condolences to the family of Jayden. It is with great disbelief that I heard the news. There are no words to express my sadness. As a father I send the family my support in those difficult moments. Bafana Bafana has lost a great talent too soon and too young. May his soul rest in peace.”

The family announced that a private memorial service will be held at the Stellenbosch Town Hall at midday on 16 July, with only invited guests permitted to attend. Members of the public wishing to pay their respects to the late soccer star can do so at a public memorial service at the same venue at 17:00.

In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns staff and fans held a vigil outside the PSL club’s headquarters in Chloorkop on Tuesday evening (14 July). Those in attendance reportedly lit candles and laid flowers in memory of fallen player. Photos and videos of the vigil shared on social media depict flowers and candles placed in the shape of the number eight, Adams’ jersey number for the Brazilians.

Fittingly, FIFA also paid homage to Adams on Saturday, with players, officials and fans in attendance observing a moment of silence before the start of the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal clashes between England and Norway in Miami, and later between Argentina and Switzerland.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, also shared his condolences: “It’s so incredibly sad to hear that South African midfielder Jayden Adams has passed away just weeks after featuring in his nation’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign. My thoughts and condolences, as well as those of everyone at FIFA and the global football community, are with his family, friends and teammates. The Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.”

Adams will reportedly be laid to rest during a private funeral service in Stellenbosch on Saturday 18 July.