_

1. Orlando Pirates' Betway Premiership title defence

Orlando Pirates broke Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-year hold on the league by winning the 2025/26 Betway Premiership at the end of a dramatic final day, with a 2-0 victory over Orbit College, for their first title in 14 years.

At the start of their successful campaign, the Buccaneers made a host of signings, with Oswin Appolis and Sipho Mbule headlining the incoming batch of players.

Despite losing Mohau Nkota and later Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Bucs' new players proved to be shrewd replacements, with Tshepang Moremi, Lebone Seema and Masindi Nemtajela slotting in effortlessly under then new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

With the 2026/27 campaign set to start, Pirates have shipped out a number of players deemed surplus to requirements, while also losing star man Relebohile Mofokeng.

But the club have again made a number of intriguing signings, not least new Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, who comes with a strong pedigree in front of goal, as well as experienced Zambian attacker Ghampani Lungu and highly rated Stellenbosch midfielders Thapelo Mokobodi and Mtehtheleli Mthiyane.

If Ouaddou can quickly implement his philosophy across the new group, then Pirates will begin to believe in a realistic defence of their title - but only if they are able to effectively manage their squad.

Last season, an early CAF Champions League exit meant a less congested fixture schedule. They were able to navigate a historic treble, winning the league, MTN8 and Carling Knockout, but will now be hoping to for and extended continental run, after exciting in the group stages last season.

2. Mamelodi Sundowns' bid to reclaim their crown

Mamelodi Sundowns wrote another chapter in their illustrious history last season by winning the CAF Champions League, for just the second time with a 2-1 win over Morocco's Botola Pro side AS FAR.

The focus on the continental competition certainly took its toll on Sundowns, who must surely take credit for pushing Pirates all the way to the final day of the 2025/26 season.

The Brazilians had come close to Champions League glory the season before only to lose in the final, so it is not beyond the Miguel Cardodo coached team to reclaim their PSL crown, alongside another CAF run.

They too have strengthened their ranks with a few key additions, most notably Siyanda Ndlovu and Antonio van Wyk.

Ndlovu joined Sundowns over Pirates from Golden Arrows after an impressive season that drew praise from former coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who touted for the player for a big move during his recent tenure with the Durban based club.

Van Wyk is a former Stellenbosch man, who joined Masandawana on the back of an impressive spell with Austrian side SV Reid, helping them gain promotion to the Bundesliga while scoring four goals and providing seven assists.

Van Wyk will be tasked with improving a Sundowns attack that recently parted ways with PSL all-time top goalscorer Peter Shalulile and impressed with a goal in the pre-season friendly draw against German side Hertha Berlin in Austria.

3. Kaizer Chiefs back in the title race?

Kaizer Chiefs defied expectations to end the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season in third place.

Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef took over from Nasreddine Nabi after the Tunisian led the team to the Nedbank Cup, for their first trophy in 10 years.

The duo were largely unsupported by their own fans but proved their critics wrong, only to be moved on at the end of the season in favour of new head coach Fernando da Cruz.

After years of uncertainty, the expectations on the club to improve on last season's third place are massive.

With their arch-rivals completing a domestic treble and Mamelodi Sundowns earning a second star, Chiefs' supporters and management will not settle for another trophyless campaign.

Despite their struggles, Chiefs continue to be able to attract top talent and made a few key acquisitions, namely Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko, Thabo Moloisane, Renaldo Leaner and Khanyisa Mayo.

4. Mid-table contenders closing the gap

Perennial mid-table contenders AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune United are all investing heavily in players and coaching staff in a bid to uproot the established order and close the gap between the so-called "big teams" and the rest.

AmaZulu tasted success in recent years with a third-place finish and continental football before an inevitable slump, and more recent improvements with Arthur Zwane at the helm. He guided Usuthu to fourth last term, while Sekhukhune saw their wheels fall off under Eric Tinkler, before making positive wholesale managerial and player changes ahead of the new season.

Stellies have been a long-term project and were quick to install Gavin Hunt as head coach once Steve Barker had taken the club as far as possible, and he was quick to stabilise a team rapidly heading towards the relegation places before ultimately ending in ninth place.

While Pirates and Sundowns are expected once again to challenge for top honours this season, the "chasing pack" are edging ever closer, and might even have enough to mount a serious challenge, if the distraction of fighting on too many fronts proves again too much for Sundowns, and Pirates crumble under the pressure of a title defence...

5. Battle for top-flight survival

While promoted Durban City secured a full-deserved eighth place in their first season back in the top-flight, following their rebranding after a former life as Maritzburg United, fellow promotees Orbit College were not as successful as they suffered automatic relegation after ending their debur season in last place.

Newly promoted Kruger United and Milford will have their work cut out for themselves this term if they are to retain their top-flight status.

Abram Mongoya led Kruger to the Premiership as Motsepe Foundation Championship winners and has been retained as head coach and backed with the acquisition of an incredible 15 new signings.

New arrivals include Fiacre Ntwari, Katlego Mohamme, Kwanda Mngonyama, Lwanda Mbanjwa, Mlungisi Zwane, Motsie Matima, Phathutshedzo Musekwa, Sanele Tshabalala Shane Saralina, Sikhosonke Langa, Sidney Fakude, Tatenda Tavengwa, Thabang Sibanyoni, Thendo Mukumela and Tumelo Mmakgolane.

Milford chairman Xanti Pupuma had an easy decision to retain himself in the head coach for the club's first season in the Betway Premiership.

Pupuma led the Stallions to second in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and victory in the play-offs over Cape Town City and Magesi.

They have been less severe in the transfer department, recruiting just over handful of players, including Sanele Mthembu, Thabang Mabena, Yanelisa Nomandela, Mnqobi Mbhele, Admiro Chabangu, Khunganani Sigadi and Sicelo Masilela.

Fellow contenders for the drop include perennial relegation candidates Chippa United as well as the likes of Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy, who have both taken significant steps to improve on last season's 12th and 14th place finishes.

The Chilli Boys will, meanwhile, hoping for some more consistency under Brandon Truter this season. He will need a strong start to the campaign to avoid an early, almost inevitable, exit from the job.

Innocent Maela backs Orlando Pirates' readiness to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title