The full-back is currently in the last month of his contract with the Students, but the player's future is almost certainly with the Buccaneers, with whom Phungwayo is believed to have already penned a new deal.

"(Phungwayo) has not signed a renewal with (Wits) and it is an open secret by now that he has apparently done a deal with Pirates," De Sa told Supersport.

The signing of Phungwayo would mark the second new recruit for Pirates ahead of next season, with injured Black Leopards ace Khethokwakhe Masuk having already signed a pre-contract with the club.

Two Sea Robbers who have already gone the other way are Luis Boa Morte and Gertulio Vargas, who both quit the club on Tuesday.

Veteran playmaker Boa Morte only managed two appearances for Pirates after joining in the January transfer window, with an injury keeping him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.