With the CAF competitions taking centre stage again this weekend, Richards Bay and Kaizer Chiefs both have the chance to overtake Mamelodi Sundowns into top spot.
But first Orlando Pirates will attempt to make up ground on the
DStv Premiership frontrunners when they welcome AmaZulu to the Orlando Stadium on Friday.
The Buccaneers only managed to pick up a point on Saturday as they played out to a goalless draw with Richards Bay at the same venue, which left Jose Riveiro's side four points adrift of the summit in fifth position.
Usuthu (9th) are desperate to arrest a five-game winless run that culminated in the sacking of Brandon Truter last week, with Romain Folz subsequently appointed as his successor.
Riveiro has urged 'The Ghost' to remain patient with the players and not judge them with a third of the fixtures having been played.
"I know that the fans want to see the team winning games rather than talking about the process when we don't get the result that we want. It's not maybe what they want to listen to, but I know I'm on the map and I know where I am," the Spaniard said.
"The only thing we can do is work like super professionals every day and that's what the guys are doing. The work they're doing is exceptional and the results are going to be the consequence of that.
"Let's see where we are, all of us, at the end of the season and let's do the analysis, deep analysis at that moment and not after nine, 10 or 11 games."
Stellenbosch are also in action on Friday as they take on Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium, looking to bounce back from last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.
The sixth-placed Maroons saw a three-match unbeaten run come to an end, while Abafana Bes'thende are just a point behind them in eighth spot after drawing 1-1 with Cape Town City last time out.
Meanwhile, Richards Bay will be hoping to keep the momentum going when they meet Maritzburg United in a local derby at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
The Natal Rich Boyz are undefeated in their last five league outings and trail the Brazilians by a single point in second place, having played one game more. The Team of Choice bring up the rear after losing three of their last five encounters - their most recent result a 3-0 reverse to Stellenbosch.
Later in the day, a resurgent Kaizer Chiefs will be targeting their fourth win on the spin when Chippa United arrive at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Glamour Boys appear to have turned the corner after a poor start to the season and they are just two points behind Sundowns in third place after going unbeaten in their last five matches. The Chilli Boys have climbed up to 11th in the table following back-to-back wins against AmaZulu (2-1) and Marumo Gallants (1-0).
Amakhosi head coach Arthur Zwane praised the ability of his team to fight back once more after Stellies took the lead in the 29th minute at the Cape Town Stadium, with a hat-trick of penalties from Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana securing the comeback win.
"I must also commend the character of these boys coming back. It's never easy when you're a goal down against a team of Stellenbosch's calibre," Zwane said.
"I'll commend that spirit of coming back all the time. It builds that character to say,''we're not going to lose this game'. I believe it's happening for a reason."
Weekend DStv Premiership fixtures
Friday:
19h30: Orlando Pirates v AmaZulu
19h30: Golden Arrows v Stellenbosch
Saturday:
15h30: Richards Bay v Maritzburg United
17h30: Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa United
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