Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo says he wants to emulate his Orlando Pirates counterpart Happy Jele, who has been loyal to the Buccaneers for the last 14 years.

The 30-year-old defender has spent the last six seasons with the Clever Boys and has already won the Absa Premiership title, MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup since joining the club from Ajax Cape Town back in 2014.

Hlatshwayo has previously been linked to Orlando Pirates but has since pledged his loyalty to Wits after signing an improved three-year contract in August last year, keeping him at the club until 2022.

The Bafana Bafana captain says he is inspired by the Buccaneers skipper and would like to remain at the Braamfontein-based side for years to come.

‘It’s been over a decade playing in the PSL and when you look back, you ask yourself, how did I get through with the team?’ Hlatshwayo told FARPost.

‘You realise loyalty gives you stability, and the teams we play for can see loyalty and when you give your best, all the rewards then follow. Wits have rewarded me over the years.

‘Happy [Jele] has respected the game and his club [Orlando Pirates]. You’ll go very far when you respect the game and the club you play for and that’s exactly what I want to emulate.’