There will be no second to waste on the field of play in the remaining Betway Premiership fixtures as clubs battle for valuable points with the 2025/26 league season drawing to a thrilling conclusion.
Unlike last season, when the league title was decided with a few matches to spare, the current campaign has become difficult to predict. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are facing one of their toughest challenges yet from the high-scoring Orlando Pirates, who are hot on their heels with 65 points and two games in hand.
The Brazilians top the standings with 68 points and have only one match remaining — an away clash against struggling TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on May 12.
The match against Galaxy will be the final fixture on the 2025/26 league calendar, and the Chloorkop-based side, who are also chasing the CAF Champions League title, know very well that a draw or defeat could shatter their hopes of retaining the league crown.
On the other hand, Galaxy, who sit 12th on the log with 28 points, are equally desperate for maximum points to move further away from possible promotion/relegation play-offs. Chippa United (13th with 25 points) and Orbit FC (14th with 24 points) share the same ambition of avoiding relegation trouble.
While it remains to be seen whether the title will head to Soweto or Chloorkop, Kaizer Chiefs have already secured third place after beating Sekhukhune United 2-0 away in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon.
Amakhosi now have 51 points and still possess two games in hand. Their closest challengers, AmaZulu FC, occupy fourth place with 44 points and can no longer catch Chiefs even if they win their remaining two matches.
The battle for a top-eight finish also appears close to being settled. Polokwane City, who secured a valuable away point against Golden Arrows on Saturday, now need just one point from their final home fixture against Marumo Gallants on May 12.
Lying sixth with 39 points, Rise and Shine’s biggest threat comes from Siwelele FC, who are ninth with 33 points. However, Siwelele must win both of their remaining matches convincingly and improve their goal difference significantly — by at least six goals — especially if Polokwane lose to Gallants. Polokwane currently have a goal difference of zero, while Siwelele sit on minus five.
Also on 33 points are Stellenbosch FC and Richards Bay FC in 10th and 11th positions respectively, though both sides have goal differences of minus six.
Should Polokwane either win or draw against Gallants, and Siwelele fail to win one of their remaining matches or win by fewer than six goals, Rise and Shine will secure a top-eight finish. Even though their top eight finish is certain, sixth position is however not guaranteed as they might be leapfrogged by the likes of seventh-placed Durban City (38 points) and Arrows, who occupy eighth position with 37 points as the two side are still remaining with two matches each.
At the bottom of the table, no club from 13th position downward is safe from the threat of relegation.
Chippa United are 13th with 25 points, followed by Orbit FC on 24 points, Marumo Gallants in 15th place with 23 points, while Magesi FC remain rooted at the bottom with 21 points.
With Magesi sitting on 21 points, TS Galaxy are safe from automatic relegation, although they could still find themselves in the promotion/relegation play-offs should the clubs below them produce surprise results in the final round of fixtures.
