The new Betway Premiership campaign for 2025-26 gets underway on Saturday with a race to the finish in May that will be split into two halves with a long mid-season break for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicting how the season will go is therefore challenging. SuperSport.com looks at who the major contenders are for the title, Caf Interclub qualification, the top eight and the relegation places.
TITLE WINNERS
The manner in which Mamelodi Sundowns have won the league title in the last three or four years makes it almost impossible to look past them. It was not even a title race in most instances. In fact, their 12-point victory last season was the closest it has been in some while, and even that ended up being a walk in the park.
It would take an extraordinary collapse on their side and for another team to push up to the 65-70-point mark. The only one that you feel has a shot is Orlando Pirates, who have finished second in the last three years, and in five of the last eight seasons. So it is very much ‘as you were’ from the last campaign.
CAF INTERCLUB QUALIFICATION
It seems almost certain that Sundowns and Pirates will be in the top two to claim Caf Champions League football for 2026-27, so that leaves third place, and possibly fourth, for the Caf Confederation Cup. Stellenbosch FC have been third in the last two years, but again have sold their top talent.
Sekhukhune United finished fourth in the last two seasons and have a coach in Eric Tinkler, who is no stranger to the top three. They look to have done well in the transfer market, so perhaps it will be their turn to finish one place higher, especially if they can keep ace goal-poacher Bradley Grobler fit.
REST OF THE TOP EIGHT
Only four points separated TS Galaxy in fifth place and Magesi FC all the way down in 13th at the end of last season, with not much to choose from the clubs in between. The top four are some way better than the rest, but then the level is very even, making predicting the finishers from 4-8 quite a challenge. You would think Kaizer Chiefs will be there; they surely cannot miss out on the top eight for an unprecedented third season in a row.
AmaZulu probably have enough to qualify as well, as do Lamontville Golden Arrows under experienced coach Manqoba Mngqithi. Among the remainder, the most consistent side is probably TS Galaxy, though they might be light on goals. They are boosted by an excellent home record in recent years.
RELEGATION PLAYOFF
Magesi FC looked like they would finish bottom for much of last season until a late surge in the campaign under coach Owen da Gama saw them end in safety. But Da Gama is gone after the club did not renew his contract, and they could well pay for that decision.
They will be better for last season’s experience, but you still feel a lack of quality in key areas. To be fair, there are maybe five or six teams that you feel could finish in the bottom two.
BOTTOM
It is easy to pick on the promoted sides, but you wonder how Orbit College will be able to cope with over 30 games. There will be lots of heart and desire, and they have made a few decent signings, such as Monnapule Saleng on loan from Pirates, but as Cape Town Spurs found out a few years ago, the top flight is an unforgiving place.
No games are easy. As the fixtures come thick and fast and the season stretches into the second half, promoted sides often drop off. Their top-flight stay may therefore be short-lived.
SURPRISE PACKAGE
Durban City won automatic promotion at the end of last season and did so with some room to spare. They have appointed wily old Gavin Hunt as their coach and have made some good signings, bringing in top-flight experience. On the face of it, they should be pushing for a top eight place, or at the very least well clear of relegation.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Marumo Gallants will be hoping to build on their steady showing of last season, but something says this could be a year of struggle and they may be in the relegation mix for much of the campaign. Though if Sundowns don’t win the league with all of their star quality then they will take this unwanted title.