South African pair Tylon Smith and Luke Le Roux made their debuts for their respective new English clubs, but both ended up on the losing side.
In the current transfer window, South Africa U20 star Smith completed a move from Stellenbosch FC to Queens Park Rangers, reportedly signing a four-year deal.
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Smith wasn’t the only South African to join the English Championship, as countryman Luke Le Roux moved to Portsmouth from Swedish club Värnamo.
With the 2025/26 Championship season having kicked off last weekend, neither Smith nor Le Roux featured, with the latter named as an unused substitute.
However, both players made their first appearances in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.
Smith started and played the full match in a 3-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
Le Roux, meanwhile, started in a 2-1 loss to Reading FC before being substituted in the 70th minute.
Both will now turn their attention back to league action, with Le Roux’s Portsmouth set to face Norwich City this weekend, while Smith’s QPR take on Watford.
Portsmouth sit sixth in the Championship table after winning their opening match, while QPR are 13th following a draw in their first fixture.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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