Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the South Africa Premier League—now officially the Betway Premiership—you’re missing the most chaotic title race we've seen in a decade. Most people just assume Mamelodi Sundowns will cruise to their ninth straight title. They’ve got the money, the depth, and that terrifyingly efficient system. But look at the table right now in mid-January 2026. Things are weird.
Orlando Pirates are sitting at the top of the pile with 28 points from 12 games. They’ve actually played one less game than Sundowns and they're two points ahead. That's not supposed to happen.
For years, the "Sea Robbers" have been the kings of cup competitions while stumbling in the league. Not this time. Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who took over and immediately tightened the screws, they’ve become a defensive machine. They went on a 10-match unbeaten run earlier in the season. You've got Patrick Maswanganyi pulling the strings in midfield and Evidence Makgopa actually finding the net consistently. It feels different.
The Sundowns Dynasty is Rattling
Sundowns aren't "bad" by any stretch. They've only lost once in 13 matches. But five draws? That is where the rot—if you can call it that—is setting in. Teams aren't scared of them anymore.
When you see a side like Siwelele holding the champions to a 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein like they did in December, you realize the gap is closing. Sundowns still dominate possession—sometimes seeing upwards of 70% of the ball—but they're struggling to kill games off. Peter Shalulile has three goals, which is fine, but it's not the "Shalulile of old" who would have ten by now.
Instead, the goal-scoring charts are being led by Junior Dion over at Lamontville Golden Arrows. He's got 7. Then you've got Bradley Grobler, who is basically a prehistoric marvel at this point, still banging them in for Sekhukhune United.
Speaking of Sekhukhune, they are the real dark horse this year. They are sitting third, just a point behind Sundowns. Nobody talks about them because they aren't part of the "Big Three," but they are remarkably disciplined. They beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 earlier in the season, proving they can go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights.
What's Up With Kaizer Chiefs?
You can't talk about the South Africa Premier League without mentioning the Glamour Boys. Amakhosi fans have had a rough few years.
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Currently, they are 4th with 24 points. They’ve only lost one game all season, which is a massive improvement. But six draws? It's the same old story of "bluntness" upfront. They dominated possession against Chippa United in December and came away with a 0-0. They did the same against TS Galaxy.
The fans are restless, but there is a silver lining. Mduduzi Shabalala is finally starting to look like the superstar everyone promised he would be. If they can find a way to convert those draws into wins during the second half of the season, they are technically still in this. But that's a big "if."
The Relegation Dogfight is Brutal
Down at the bottom, Chippa United are in serious trouble. One win in 15 games is a death sentence in this league. They’ve only scored seven goals all season. Seven!
- Chippa United: 9 points (Last place)
- Magesi FC: 11 points
- Stellenbosch FC: 12 points
Seeing Stellenbosch down there is a genuine shock. They were the darlings of the league last season, playing high-tempo, exciting football. But they lost key players like Anicet Oura and hasn't recovered. They are currently 14th. If they don't fix their home form—where they've lost five times already—they could actually go down.
Why the Betway Rebrand Actually Matters
When the league swapped DStv for Betway in a R900 million deal, people thought it was just a name change. It’s more than that. The injection of cash has allowed smaller clubs to hold onto talent a little longer.
The new "Lifetime Trophy" designed by Nelson Makamo is a cool touch, too. It’s got all the previous winners' names on it. But beyond the aesthetics, the league feels more physical this year. Referees are letting more go, and the intensity in the mid-table clashes is through the roof.
Take a look at the "Durban City" project. They are 7th. They've been remarkably consistent for a team that many expected to be fighting for survival. They aren't just playing for draws; they are going for it.
Predicting the Final Stretch
The league resumes with some massive fixtures. Sundowns vs. Orbit College on January 19th is a "must-win" for the Brazilians to stop the bleeding. Then you've got the big one: the Soweto Derby is looming in late February.
If Pirates win that, and if they manage to navigate their CAF Champions League commitments without rotating their squad too heavily, the title is theirs to lose. But Sundowns have the experience of the "Championship Minutes." They know how to win when the pressure is at its absolute peak in April and May.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
Keep an eye on the "clean sheet" stats. Brandon Peterson at Chiefs has 9 clean sheets. If a team can't score against you, you don't lose. It sounds simple, but in a league where the average goals per match is hovering around 3.24 (which is actually quite high for the PSL), defense will win the title this year.
Also, watch the disciplinary records. Magesi FC already has three red cards. In tight games, losing a man is a death knell.
The next few weeks are critical. Check the injury reports for Mamelodi Sundowns specifically. If their core midfield remains stretched, expect more draws. For Pirates, the test is mental. Can they handle being the hunted rather than the hunter?
Track the following players over the next five matchdays:
- Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy): Currently leading the assists with 5. He is the most creative spark in the league right now.
- Junior Dion (Golden Arrows): Can he maintain the pace for the Golden Boot?
- Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates): He is the barometer for the Buccaneers' success. When he plays well, they win.
The 2025/26 season is far from decided. While the history books favor the yellow of Sundowns, the black and white of Pirates looks increasingly like the color of the 2026 champions.