The 19-year-old has become an increasingly important figure for Chiefs during the opening stages of the 2026/27 campaign, featuring in all eight of the club's league fixtures. He has found the net once during that run as he looks to put a disrupted debut season behind him.
Baartman believes his willingness to absorb Da Cruz's instructions has been central to his progress, with the forward placing particular importance on listening to the French coach and applying his guidance.
"I think it's as coach said, that's just for me to listen to him and I think he's helping me a lot with doing better and getting better," Baartman said.
"Playing for a big club like Chiefs is a massive honour, so where I come from in Cape Town it's very, very big to play for a club like Chiefs."
The Chiefs attacker arrived at the club after developing through the youth ranks at Cape Town Spurs. His move followed a lengthy transfer saga, with Baartman eventually joining the Soweto giants as a free agent after Spurs were relegated.
Having grown up within the Spurs system, Baartman is aware of the stature of the club he now represents.
Playing for one of South Africa's biggest teams represents a significant milestone in his young career, while his growing involvement suggests he is becoming an established part of the Chiefs squad.
