By: Mpho Sekharume

The Betway Premiership has officially shifted into high gear with the commencement of the second half of a highly competitive season this week. With table toppers Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed Kaizer Chiefs having set the tone at the upper end of the table with important midweek victories, the focus now turns to other critical league fixtures where teams will go on their respective quests to finish within the upper half top eight grouping at the end of the 2025/2026 campaign. All eyes now turn to the Richards Bay Stadium this Friday, where ninth-placed local outfit Richards Bay hosts Siwelele FC as both teams are still looking to get one over the other by registering their first win ever against their counterparts. The tone for this encounter was set by their cagey 0-0 draw in their first ever fixture back in August 2025. However, both sides arrive with fresh momentum following gritty midweek preparations for this clash. Currently sitting 11th on the table with 16 points, Siwelele’s mission would be to replicate the tactical discipline that saw them hold the Sundowns before the recently elapsed December break. The ‘Natal Rich Boys’, just one point ahead in ninth, know that a home win is essential to maintain their mid-table position as the race toward the finish line intensifies. The football action continues Saturday afternoon with a high-stakes relegation zone battle at Olympia Park as 14th placed Orbit College FC takes on Chippa United who lie flat at the bottom of the premiership log with only nine points to show after 15 league outings. Orbit, on the other hand, enters this fixture reeling from a 2–0 midweek defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns - a result that also left them too close to the relegation drop zone with 13 points. They face a Chippa side that is desperate to ignite their season and attempt to climb up to a much safer spot to avoid probable prospects of sinking down into the second league come the end of the season. Concurrently, a massive clash will also unfold at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium as fourth placed Sekhukhune United hosts title contenders, Orlando Pirates - who trail Sundowns by a single point with 28 points and lie second position on the log. Sekhukhune are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1–0 midweek loss to Stellenbosch FC, which stalled their climb to 25 points. Although they face a well-rested Pirates side, Sekhukhune has proven to be the latter’s ‘bogey team’, especially after their 1-0 victory over the ‘Buccaneers’ in their previous league meeting. Sunday’s fixtures bring the curtain down on the weekend with two intriguing matchups. At the Moses Mabhida Stadium, sixth-placed AmaZulu FC welcomes a high-flying TS Galaxy side that is sitting fifth on the table. Both teams are currently on 24 points, but Galaxy arrive in Durban with maximum confidence after a commanding 2–0 midweek win over Marumo Gallants - a result that propelled them into the top five with 24 points. Galaxy is only ahead of AmaZulu on goal difference. This encounter, therefore, serves as a direct battle for continental qualification spots, with Galaxy looking to repeat their 3-1 dominance from earlier this season. To cap off the weekend Durban City FC faces off with Polokwane City at Chatsworth Stadium. This impending nailbiter promises to be the most tightly contested duel this weekend given the similar runs both teams have endured in the current season. City are eighth on the log with 22 points to show, while Polokwane sit seventh with 23 points. Most importantly, City is looking to avenge a bruising 4–1 cup defeat at the hands of Polokwane, which will surely reduce this fixture into a thrilling affair, where margins for error will be very minimal. As the points become more precious, this weekend’s results will likely dictate who is sprinting for glory and who is stumbling towards the finish.