Following the suspension of all football in South Africa, SoccerClub looks at the top 10 most-expensive defenders in the Absa Premiership.

Mamelodi Sundowns right back Thapelo Morena is currently the league’s most expensive defender with a value of R26.7 million, followed by Bidvest Wits duo Thulani Hlatshwayo and Sifiso Hlanti in second and third place valued at R24,79m and R23.8m, respectively, according to Transfermarkt.

Meanwhile, Sundowns right back Anele Ngcongca and Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi comes in at Nos 4 and 5 on the list with a valuation of R21m.

At Nos 6 and 7 are Cape Town City captain Thamsanqa Mkhize and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates, both valued at R19m, respectively.

Making up the bottom three on the list are Maritzburg United defender Siyanda Xulu on R18.1m, Kaizer Chiefs’Daniel Cardoso on R17.1m and Limbikani Mzava of Highlands Park on R16.2m.

Top 10 most expensive defenders in PSL:

1) Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns) – €1.40m (R26.7m)
2) Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits) – €1.30m (R24.8m)
3) Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits) – €1.25m (R23.8m)
4) Anele Ngcongca (Mamelodi Sundowns) – €1.10m (R21m)
5) Buhle Mkhwanazi (Bidvest Wits) – €1.10m (R21m)
6) Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City) – €1.00m (R19m)
7) Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates) – €1.00m (R19m)
8) Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United) – €950K (R18.1m)
9) Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs) – €900K (R17.1m)
10) Limbikani Mzava (Highlands Park) – €850K (R16.2m)

[Note: Values have been converted from euro to rand according to the exchange rate at the time of publishing.]