A total of 42 matches completed in the new Betway Premiership campaign suggests competition is tighter than ever, as 42 per cent of the matches played this season have ended in draws.
That is well above the average in recent seasons and suggests a growing parity, better tactics and preparation and more cautious approaches.
The current record of draws in a single season stands at 39 per cent in the post-Covid 2020/21 season. Before that, it was 37 per cent in 2005/06 and then 36 per cent in 2017/18.
The average across all seasons is 30 per cent draws, so this campaign is tracking well above that.
The fewest number of stalemates came in the 2002/03 season, when only 22 per cent – or 52 of the 240 matches – ended all square.
The recent 2024/25 campaign had 26 per cent of matches end in draws, which is the third-lowest figure over the three decades, though it came from a slightly smaller sample size following the expulsion of Royal AM.
The worst culprits this season have been Chippa United, who have drawn four of their five games so far, to go with a loss to Pirates.
A further five clubs have drawn three of their five games – Durban City, TS Galaxy, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Polokwane City and Richards Bay.
Every club has been involved in a draw, including Sundowns (vs Kaizer Chiefs) and Pirates (vs AmaZulu), who have one each.
Eight of the 42 games, or around one in five, have finished 0-0.