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South Africa's Betway Premiership delivered a blend of mixed results this week with Free State outfits succumbing to defeats, while Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a goalless draw in a tightly contested fixture out at Soccer City
In the biggest encounter of the 2025/26 season so far, Kaizer Chiefs and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns played to a tense and tactical 0-0 draw at the FNB Stadium. Both teams preserved their unbeaten status, with Chiefs dropping points for the first time this season.
‘Amakhosi’ started the game with intent, employing a relentless high press that denied Sundowns time on the ball and created several early opportunities. Wandile Duba was at the forefront of the Chiefs attack, forcing a great save from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with a header in the 11th minute.
Downs' trademark possession-based football was disrupted, although they did have their moments in the match. Tashreeq Matthews poked a ball over the crossbar early on, while Teboho Mokoena's shot from range forced a superb diving save from Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
The second half was a story of continued defensive solidity from both sides. Kaizer Chiefs looked the more likely to break the deadlock and often had ‘Bafana Ba Style’ on the back foot, but they ultimately fell short in the final third.
Although Sundowns maintained possession of the ball for the most part of the match, Chiefs enjoyed more goalscoring opportunities despite the Sundowns defence remaining resolute.
The match ended in a stalemate, a result that highlights the defensive improvements for Amakhosi, who have now kept five consecutive clean sheets for the first time since the 2019/20 season. The draw means both teams remain unbeaten, but Chiefs will feel they had the better of the chances on the night.
In another midweek fixture, TS Galaxy showcased a commanding performance against Siwelele FC, controlling the game from the opening whistle to ultimately secure a 2-0 win. The Rockets were relentless from the start, forcing an immediate clearance from Siwelele goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa within the first ten seconds of kick-off.
The early pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Seluleko Mahlambi headed in a well-executed corner set piece to give Galaxy a 1-0 lead. The momentum continued into the second half, with Mahlambi doubling the lead in the 46th minute after initiating a blistering counterattack from his own half, which ended with him receiving an assist to net his second goal.
Galaxy’s dominance continued throughout the second half. Siwelele goal stopper Thakasani Mbanjwa was called upon to make a handful of impressive saves on several occasions as the hosts sought a third goal. Mahlambi himself came agonizingly close to scoring, when his diving header flew past Mbanjwa, but ended up going wide.
The match concluded with a 2-0 scoreline, with the Bloemfontein side slipping to 12th on the premiership log. The match was indeed a fair reflection of TS Galaxy's superior performance and clinical finishing, with Mahlambi’s brace enough to set to the side apart.
At the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch FC battled to a vital 1-0 home victory over the visiting Marumo Gallants, thus securing their first win of the season. The match began as a cagey affair, with both teams sizing each other up.
While Gallants had the better of the attacking chances in the first half, it was Stellenbosch who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Andre de Jong’s powerful header rattled the crossbar in the 24th minute.
The game's single goal came immediately after the restart. Halftime substitute Langelihle Phili made an immediate impact as he found the back of the net in the 46th minute to give the Maroons a crucial lead. The goal sparked the game into life, and both sides traded blows in an entertaining football showcase.
Gallants’ goalkeeper Washington Arubi was kept busy with calls that demanded crucial saves. Stellenbosch held on for the narrow victory. This marked a second consecutive loss for Gallants, who are now 8th on the log and will be in search of redemption when they host Polokwane City at the Dr. Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein this coming Sunday.
Other results saw Golden arrows beat Magesi 2-1 at the king Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, while Richards Bay edged Chippa United with a 1-0 win at the Princess Magogo Stadium – also in Durban. United remain the only team in the current campaign that is yet to register a win, leaving them with a single point from the latter fixture with the Natal Rich Boys.
Meanwhile, Polokwane City and Durban city played to a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, with Sekhukhune United dropping their first points this season after playing to a one-all stalemate with Amazulu to, nonetheless, remain at the summit of the log with 10 points after the fourth round of fixtures.
Chiefs and Sundowns are in second and third respectively.
Orlando Pirates shot-stopper, Sipho Chaine’s heroics between the posts is rapidly establishing him as a key potential for the nation's best goalkeeper
While Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams has long been the undisputed number one - since Kaizer Chief’s Itumeleng Khune’s lengthy stint at the helm - Chaine’s recent performances, particularly in the recent high-stakes MTN 8 semi-final against Sundowns, suggest a changing of the guard is on the horizon.
While Williams has been a loyal servant to the national team, a perceived dip in his recent form coincides with Chaine’s ascendant trajectory. Chaine's consistent high-level performances make a strong case for his claim to the top spot.
His agility, shot-stopping ability, and mental fortitude are making him a compelling candidate to lead the national team from between the sticks, signalling an exciting new chapter in South African goalkeeping.
The recent MTN 8 result, echoing last year’s outcome in the final, where Chaine’s Orlando Pirates triumphed to lift their third successive MTN 8 title, underscores his ability to perform under pressure against the reigning league champions.
Although he has conceded three-goals already this season, the Bloemfontein native’s consistent brilliance has not gone unnoticed. He was crowned the Goalkeeper of the Season in the recently past season, as testament to his outstanding contributions between the posts.
The latter accolade highlights his growing maturity and an increasingly resilient mentality. Chaine exudes a calmness and focus that is essential even for the national team.
The stage is now firmly set for a compelling tussle for the Bafana Bafana number one jersey, and it is highly anticipated that he will soon feature prominently in national coach Hugo Broos’ plans going forward.
Broos is set to announce the final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) clashes against Lesotho and Nigeria on 5 and 9 September 2025 respectively. Both fixtures will be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Chaine is included in the preliminary squad.
After playing to 1-1 stalemate in the first leg of the MTN 8 semi-finals last weekend at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, football pundits are waiting to see if Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates will advance to the final of the competition this weekend when the Buccaneers visit Sundowns in the return leg at Lucas Masterpieces Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
This is a high stakes fixture for both premiership giants, as they are both pressured to ultimately go on and win the cup competition and claim the first trophy that is on offer in the new 2025/2026 season. Defending champions Pirates have been winning this competition successively since the 2022/2023 season under Jose Riviero and will now be determined to extend their dominance by winning the competition under new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou – who is aware of this expectation from Bucs’ legion of fans.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, and his charges are equally under pressure to deliver the elusive MTN 8 title, which the club has won on a mere four previous occasion. In fact, the fifteen-time Premier Soccer League champion (PSL) champions have a constantly revolving mandate to win all trophies on offer in any given season – including the MTN 8.
Despite their undeniable premiership dominance, Sundowns have been struggling on the domestic cups front as compared to their Soweto rivals, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates have won the MTN 8 title a total of 13 times, while Chiefs hold the record with 15 titles. Downs have been playing catch up in the cup tournament fray and have continuously failed live up to expectations - which vividly contrasts their immaculate success in the league.
With the battle lines drawn, this sold-out affair is set to kick-off at 15:00 tomorrow.
In the other semi-final fixture, Sekhukhune United will have to overturn a two-goal deficit to overcome Stellenbosch FC to advance to the final of the competition. Babina Noko would need to net no less than three goals without conceding to advance to the final. A 2-0 win by Sekhukhune would force the match into a penalty shootout.
While the permutations are clear, beating Stellenbosch is surely going to prove to be a tall order for the Limpopo side.Underestimating Sekhukhune, however, would also be a very risky undertaking by Stellenbosch who slumped to a 1-0 loss to the Buccaneers in a midweek league fixture, while the former thumped Orbit College by three goals to none on Tuesday night.
The magnificent midweek win not only serves as proof of Sekhukhune’s prowess in front of goals but may serve as essential inspiration that may lead them to victory this Sunday. This match will take place later Saturday at 18:00.
South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the one-day international series against Australia with an ankle injury barely an hour before the start of the opening match in Cairns on Tuesday.
Rabada underwent a scan on Monday following an inflammation of his right ankle, Cricket South Africa said in a statement, after which the 30-year-old was ruled out of the three-match series.
“He will remain in Australia and undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical staff,” the statement read.
Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, who finished as the leading wicket-taker in the preceding T20 series between the sides, has been added to the squad but was not picked for the series opener.
Fans are encouraged to take the Gautrain to Park Station and from there, hop on to a PRASA train to the Ellis Park Stadium.
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) has again partnered with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to provide seamless train services for rugby fans attending the match between the Springboks and Australia on Saturday afternoon.
Fans are encouraged to take the Gautrain to Park Station and from there, hop on to a PRASA train to the Ellis Park Stadium.
Gautrain spokesperson Albi Modise said their train service will run until 16:00 and resume at 20:45, after the game.
Modise said the collaboration with PRASA forms part of a broader effort to create a more integrated, accessible public transport system.
“With our parking fees at R1 a day, we urge all rugby fans to take advantage of this safe and convenient and seamless service and help ease the pressure on Joburg’s roads,” he said.
A dominant performance by Khamzat Chimaev saw the Chechen completely dismantle South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, in what pundits subsequently declared a one-sided affair.
From the very first bell, it was clear that the Pretoria native, who was defending his UFC middleweight title, was in for the fight of his life - just not in the way he had hoped.
Chimaev’s strategy was pure, unadulterated dominance. He immediately closed the distance, nullifying Du Plessis’s striking prowess and taking the fight to the ground, where he reigns supreme due to his great wrestling abilities.
While Du Plessis's heart and resilience were on full display, they were no match for Chimaev's superior grappling and strength. The champion's attempts to escape were futile, and any brief moments on the feet were quickly ended by another powerful takedown.
Chimaev secured an incredible 12 takedowns and dominated Du plessis for exactly 21 minutes and 40 seconds out of the cumulative 25 minutes of all five rounds. Du Plessis, who is known for his relentless pressure and brawling style, was reduced to nothing but a defensive shell, spending the majority of the fight simply trying to survive the Chimaev onslaught.
The unanimous decision in favour of Chimaev was a formality. The scores of 50-44 from all three judges highlighted the sheer gap in will and determination between the two on that night.
A dramatic late equaliser from Kamogelo Sebelebele salvaged a 1–1 draw for Orlando Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final, played at a packed Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
The high-stakes clash between two of South Africa’s biggest clubs lived up to expectations, delivering moments of brilliance, tactical battles, and a crucial goal apiece as the tie remains finely poised heading into the second leg.
It was the visitors who struck first. In the 36th minute, Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena showcased his aerial prowess by heading home from a well-delivered corner by Marcelo Allende. The goal came after a period of sustained pressure by the defending league champions, who looked composed and in control for much of the first half. Despite efforts from Pirates to respond, Sundown’s carried a 1–0 lead into halftime.
The second half saw a much-improved Orlando Pirates, with the likes of Evidence Makgopa and Mbekezeli Mbokazi pressing forward and threatening the Sundown’s defence. Makgopa came agonisingly close in the 78th minute, rattling the post after a slick one-two just outside the box.
But it was Kamogelo Sebelebele who would steal the spotlight. With time running out, the 23-year-old midfielder latched onto a pass inside the box and calmly slotted the ball past Ronwen Williams in the 87th minute, sending the Soweto crowd into raptures.
The 1–1 result leaves everything to play for in the return leg, set to be played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Sundowns will feel they let a lead slip, while Pirates will take heart from their late surge and fighting spirit.
