Found only in Eastern Cape with limited distribution in several tributaries of the Buffalo, Keiskamma, Great Fish and Kowie river systems (Ref. 26249). A small population occurs in the Nahoon River (Ref. 26249). Recent surveys along the Kowie system showed only 6 specimens after 4 days of surveying. In the former prime Great Fish River habitat only introduced sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus were recorded. In the Tyume River, S. bainsii population is small and vulnerable to local extinction (Ref. 26249). Threatened by habitat destruction, water extraction and introduced predators such as bass and sharptooth catfish (Ref. 7248), but the limited geographical range of S. bainsii and their small population size exacerbate these threats (Ref. 26249). Also Ref. 6803, 13332, 94788.