If you walked into a taxi rank in Johannesburg or a shisanyama in Umlazi five years ago and asked who the best team in the country was, you’d get the same three answers. Sundowns because of the money. Pirates because of the history. Chiefs because... well, because they’re Chiefs.
But honestly? Things have shifted. Hard.
As of January 2026, the hierarchy of south african soccer clubs isn't just a three-horse race anymore. We’re seeing a Betway Premiership season where the "Big Three" are looking over their shoulders at teams like Sekhukhune United and even the newcomers at Orbit College. It’s chaotic. It’s brilliant. And if you haven't been paying attention to the local Diski lately, you’ve basically missed a revolution.
The Power Shift: Orlando Pirates and the Sundowns Monopoly
For about a decade, Mamelodi Sundowns didn't just win; they suffocated the league. Backed by the Motsepe billions, they turned Loftus Versfeld into a fortress where dreams went to die. But look at the table right now. Orlando Pirates are sitting at the summit with 28 points from 12 games.
They’ve gone ten matches without losing.
That’s not just a "good run." That’s Jose Riveiro figuring out how to break the tactical stranglehold Masandawana has had on South African football. The Buccaneers are playing with a grit we haven't seen since the double-treble years. Meanwhile, Sundowns—despite having a squad deep enough to field two starting XIs that could both finish in the top four—are sitting in second. They're still the gold standard for professionalism, but they look human this year.
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Why Kaizer Chiefs are still the biggest mystery in Mzansi
You can’t talk about south african soccer clubs without mentioning the Glamour Boys. It’s impossible. Even when they’re struggling, they’re the main character of the news cycle.
Current vibe? It's complicated.
After mutually parting ways with Nasreddine Nabi, there’s this weird sense of "what now?" hanging over Naturena. They’re 4th on the log, which sounds okay on paper, but the fans are restless. The January 2026 transfer window has been a frenzy. While Pirates and Sundowns are fine-tuning, Chiefs are desperately trying to fix a midfield that looks a bit leggy. The arrival of Lebohang Maboe has helped the dynamic, but they’re still missing that "X-factor" on the wings.
Despite the drama, they’re still the only team that can pull 90,000 people to the FNB Stadium for a Soweto Derby. That brand power is bulletproof, even if the trophy cabinet has a bit of dust on it.
The "Middle Class" is getting loud
This is where it gets interesting. We’ve always had "selling clubs" in South Africa—teams that exist just to scout talent and flip them to the big spenders. But that's changing.
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- Sekhukhune United: Currently 3rd. They aren't just here to participate; they’re qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup and actually looking like they belong there.
- Stellenbosch FC: They’ve had a rough 2025/2026 campaign, hovering near the bottom, but the Cape Winelands side remains a blueprint for youth development. Bringing in Gavin Hunt to replace Steve Barker was a massive statement of intent.
- Orbit College: The newcomers. Nobody expected them to survive, and while they're 13th, they’ve shown they can take points off the giants.
The gap between the top and the bottom is shrinking. You see it in the scorelines. A few years ago, a 4-0 drubbing was common when a bottom-feeder played Sundowns. Now? It’s 1-0 or a scrappy 1-1 draw.
The Business of the Game: Ownership and Stadiums
One thing most people get wrong about south african soccer clubs is how they're actually run. Most people think every club is rich.
Nope.
In reality, stadium ownership is a huge hurdle. Most teams, including the big ones, lease their grounds from municipalities. Chiefs play at the FNB (owned by the city), and Pirates are at Orlando. This means they lose out on massive revenue streams from concerts or non-matchday events.
Sundowns at Loftus and the rise of private equity in teams like TS Galaxy (who play at the 40,000-seater Mbombela Stadium) are starting to change the conversation about sustainability. If you don't own your grass, you're always paying someone else's mortgage.
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What’s next for the Betway Premiership?
If you’re looking for a "safe" bet on who will lift the trophy in May 2026, you’re braver than me. Pirates have the momentum. Sundowns have the depth.
But watch out for the Nedbank Cup. The "Last 32" draw just happened, and it’s brutal. We’ve got twelve top-flight teams facing each other in the first round. Someone big is going home early.
Actionable Insights for the South African Football Fan
If you want to keep up with the changing landscape of south african soccer clubs, stop just watching the highlights. Here is how you actually track the shift:
- Monitor the "Points Per Game" (PPG) of the top four: Pirates are currently averaging over 2.3, which is title-winning form. If they drop below 2.0, the door opens for Sundowns.
- Watch the CAF coefficients: South African clubs are performing better in Africa (Pirates and Sundowns in the Champions League, Chiefs and Stellies in the Confederation Cup). This earns the league more slots in future tournaments.
- Keep an eye on the January exits: In 2026, the trend isn't just moving to Europe; it’s moving to the MLS or North Africa. If a club loses its star playmaker now, their season is likely over.
The league isn't just about three teams in Soweto and Pretoria anymore. It's a national scrap for relevance, and for the first time in a decade, the ending hasn't been written yet.