If you are a South African football fanatic and you are not clenching your jaw at what is currently unfolding in the Betway Premiership, then you might be missing out on something special.
What we are witnessing is one of the greatest seasons of our top-flight football, filled with breathtaking drama.
Mamelodi Sundowns sit on top with 23 games played, 17 wins, and 56 points. Orlando Pirates follow closely in second with 17 wins and 54 points. Kaizer Chiefs, who still need to do a bit more to truly match the two title contenders, are nonetheless worth mentioning. They currently sit third with 21 games played, 11 wins, and 39 points, with games in hand.
90 + 5’| #OC 1 : 3 #KC
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) April 6, 2026
Full time score: (Wagaba 22’) Orbit College FC 1 : 3 Kaizer Chiefs (Duba 42’, Shabalala 68', Ndlovu 78')
Betway Man of The Match: Lebohang Maboe#Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #KCOneVoice #KCOneFamily #LoveAndPeace pic.twitter.com/0CztX9gJ4X
Sit with that for a moment. We are talking about three of South Africa’s biggest teams battling it out at the top in emphatic fashion. The last time we saw these three sides competing at this level simultaneously was in the 2019/20 season. That year, Masandawana pulled off an unbelievable run in the second half of the campaign to overtake The Glamour Boys on the final matchday, clinching the title with 59 points and edging Amakhosi by two points, while the Buccaneers finished third on 52 points.
Almost five years later, the Big 3 of Mzansi football have the streets sparking with conversation again. Unlike previous seasons, it is not so obvious that the title will head to Chloorkop come matchday 30. The men from Orlando are testing Sundowns in a way we have not seen in the last decade, while the Naturena faithfuls believe that, mathematically, they are still very much in this race as well. These are exciting times for lovers of idiski yase Mzansi.
Masandawana secure maximum points away in Durban 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 7, 2026
Durban City 0️⃣➖1️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (10’ Ntsabeleng)#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/K2gD4jbLEB
There are also records being broken, with more potentially on the horizon. With their win over Durban City on Tuesday evening, Mamelodi Sundowns became the first team in the Betway Premiership to win 10 league games consecutively. Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, recorded an outstanding 5-0 win over Golden Arrows, becoming the first team to score five or more goals in back-to-back fixtures in the same campaign.
☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 5 – 0 @goldenarrowsfc1
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 7, 2026
🥅 Mofokeng 16', 61', Appollis 30', 90+3', (OG) Maxwele 36'
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/mLweXLD0hb
Another record within reach for Ezimnyama Ngenkani is the most clean sheets in a single season. Their goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, currently sits on 16, just two short of the 18 kept by William Okpara.
The question remains, who will be crowned champions at the end of the season?
On the one hand, you have a Mamelodi Sundowns side with two lethal talismans in Iqraam Rayners and Brayan León. On the other, Orlando Pirates have struggled for consistency in front of goal through Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa, while Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis have stepped up impressively to carry the attacking threat.
It is only fair to also give credit to Lebohang Maboe, Bradley Cross, and Mfundo Vilakazi, who have proved to be influential for Kaizer Chiefs this season. Could individual brilliance ultimately decide the destination of the league title?
It would be an injustice not to highlight some of the mid-season arrivals and departures that could prove decisive. The December and January transfer window saw Orlando Pirates part ways with Monnapule Saleng, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns on a permanent deal, as well as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who moved to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, and Tshegofatso Mabasa, who went out on loan to Stellenbosch.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, welcomed both Monnapule Saleng and Brayan León. There were no notable signings from Kaizer Chiefs during this period. With these changes in mind, could any of the Big 3 come to regret their decisions.
Bafana ba Style remain active in the CAF Champions League and will face ES Tunis away on Sunday, 12 April, in the first leg of their semi-final tie. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, are fully focused on the league.
The Buccaneers will be in action tonight away to Richards Bay, looking to secure maximum points and return to the top of the table. Amakhosi will also be in action on Sunday afternoon as they host TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium.
Seven games remain for Sundowns and Pirates, while Chiefs still have nine to play. Among the fixtures left, Masandawana still have to face Amakhosi, while one more Soweto Derby awaits.
This final stretch is set to be one for the books. Confetti will fall for one team, while others will be left to pick up the pieces.
Masandawana, Ezimnyama Ngenkani, or Amakhosi. Come 23 May, who takes it?
