Founded in 2016 following the relocation of Vasco da Gama FC to Stellenbosch, the club is the first Premier Soccer League team from the Cape Winelands region and was promoted to the DStv Premiership in 2019.

[5] Sammy Troughton was appointed as head coach and Stellies' first National First Division match was played on 28 August 2016 when the team suffered a 3–1 loss to Mthatha Bucks, with Stanley Muishond scoring the club's first-ever goal during the encounter.

The club ended its maiden season in third position on the log standings, clinching the final promotion/relegation playoff spot by one point, but ultimately missed out on promotion during the subsequent mini league.

[10] The following season, Barker's side secured promotion to the DStv Premiership, the top-flight of South African football, as champions of the National First Division after recording a 0–0 draw against Maccabi FC on the final day of the campaign.

In December 2023, the club won its first cup competition after being crowned inaugural Carling Knockout champions following a penalty shootout win over TS Galaxy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.