De Reuck has been drawing much speculation in the transfer market after impressing in the Absa Premiership this season, and Lekgwathi is convinced the 24-year-old is just what the Buccaneers need.

"We [as Pirates] must sign De Reuck. I have been monitoring him... the boy has a big heart," Lekgwathi told Sowetan Live.

"At his age he is amazing, and at Pirates he can grow to be a superstar.

"He can compliment Happy [Jele] so well. Xulu is a good player as well, but he would only play one or two seasons. We don't know what made him leave Chiefs.

"Signing De Reuck would be a smart investment for the club because the boy is still young."

He added: "I watched De Reuck live in Mbombela against [Kaizer] Chiefs [in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals] last year. It's when I realised we need him. He frustrated Samir Nurkovic, that shows he can do well at Pirates."

- TEAMtalk media