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The
Betway Premiership is the top division of football in South Africa, contested by 16 clubs from August to May in a 30-game season in a round-robin format.
The Betway Premiership is one of Africa's largest and most watched football competitions, it attracts millions of passionate supporters through iconic rivalries like the Soweto Derby.
Teams such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chefs have always been regarded as African giants, but what happened when Mamelodi Sundowns started lifting trophies every season?
For eight consecutive seasons, Mamelodi Sundowns lifted The Betway Premiership trophy, growing the club's profile beyond South Africa's borders and establishing dominance both domestically and on the continent.
Let’s explore more about the teams that have made history in the Betway Premiership, achieved long-term success and helped shape the league's history.
What Makes a Team Successful in the PSL?
The Premier Soccer League has evolved over time, and today the teams that achieve success are those with strong financial backing, top-tier talent, and consistency across multiple seasons.
Football has proven that the key to triumph also lies in youth development, and through the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), PSL teams are able to develop talent and bring players into the senior squad, building sustainable success and future resale value.
Every football club understands the importance of its fan base in expanding its reach and influence. Fan engagement matters, clubs rely on large crowds to fill stadiums week after week, ticket sales need to make a profit, and stadiums need to see value for hosting matches.
Success in football is often measured through fan support, league championships, and domestic cup trophies.
Mamelodi Sundowns - A Modern Era of Dominance
Mamelodi Sundowns transformed the Premier Soccer League with increased investment, strong player development programmes, international signings, and innovative tactical approaches and became elite leaders of tactical shifts in the modern game.
Sundowns, also known as “The Brazilians”, is the most successful team in the PSL era and are regarded as one of the giants in Africa.
Some of their achievements on the continent include winning the 2023 African Football League, as well as lifting the 2015/16 and 2025/26 CAF Champions League trophy.
Domestically, Sundowns have been crowned the Betway Premiership champions eight times in a row since the 2017/18 season until 2024/25. They have also collected several domestic cup trophies and have established themselves as the dominant force in South African football.
Kaizer Chiefs - One of South Africa's Most Decorated Clubs
For much of the Premier Soccer League’s existence, Kaizer Chiefs were the team to watch and support. Under the leadership of the Motaung Family, Chiefs are the most decorated club in South African football with 93 trophies over the past 47-year history.
The Glamour Boys club history includes winning the League Championship twelve times, lifting the National Cup 13 times and winning 15 top 8 titles.
From the National Cup (originally known as the Life Challenge Cup) all the way to Kaizer Chiefs’ first participation in a CAF Cup competition in the 1993 African Champions Cup, the Soweto Giants’ influence on South African football culture is self-evident.
Although trophies have been harder to come by in recent years, Chiefs continue to enjoy one of the largest and most passionate supporter bases in South African football.
Wherever you go, you're likely to find passionate Kaizer Chiefs supporters following the fortunes of the Phefeni Boys.
Orlando Pirates - A Legacy of Success
When it comes to league and cup success Orlando Pirates are among the most successful clubs in South African football history. Their historical achievements and rise to dominance over the Premier Soccer League began back in 1971 when they lifted their first League trophy.
Orlando Pirates have been able to use their financial strength to attract star players and coaches over the years since then. During this current era, the Buccaneers have since won nine league titles, over 20 domestic cups, a Champions League trophy and CAF Super Cup.
The most notable achievement Orlando Pirates achieved in this period was winning the four-peat with MTN 8 back-to-back, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 season.
And while CAF competition accomplishments may have been unattainable in recent years, Pirates remain one of the most successful clubs in PSL history, last season they won three trophies:
- MTN8
- Carling Knockout Cup
- Betway Premiership title
SuperSport United and Sustained Excellence
Football can be an emotional rollercoaster for supporters, but it becomes even worse when your favourite team gets relegated or sell their status.
Take SuperSport United for example, the club originated from Pretoria before it was purchased by M-Net and the SuperSport broadcasting group in 1994, eventually being renamed SuperSport United F.C.
The team’s most successes came with coach Gavin Hunt at the helm of SuperSport United, their golden era was winning three consecutive Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles from 2008 to 2010.
Regardless of their decision, the Pretoria outfit remains one of the top institutions with contribution to player pathways in South Africa.
Other Clubs That Left a Lasting Mark
While the "Big Three" dominate modern headlines in South African football, several other clubs have left an unforgettable mark on Premier League history through historic title triumphs, tactical revolutions, and cult-classic eras.
The most influential clubs outside the known modern giants that shaped the legacy of the PSL include:
"The Dube Birds", as beloved fans and supporters would call the team were one of the first powerhouses in South African soccer.
They won the South African League title in 1965 and several Domestic Cup titles over the decades. Swallow’s arch-rivals were Orlando Pirates as both teams originate from Soweto.
Club football offers a long list of trophies, however in 1978 “The Clever Boys” shocked football fans by winning the Mainstay Cup against Kaizer Chiefs.
Sponsored by Bidvest, the club won their first and only Premiership league title in 2016–17 season.
The Club’s 99-year-old history and existence in top-flight football came to an end in 2020.
The club achieved instant success after its restructure by winning the 2016 Telkom Knockout Cup within months of its creation. They have since cemented their position as a highly professional, top-tier competitive side in the Premier Soccer League.
Jomo Cosmos enjoyed success in South African top-flight football, gaining prominence as a hot house for producing world-class South African talent.
Players such as the legendary Philemon Masinga, Mark Fish, and Pitso Mosimane are products of "Ezenkosi". The team won the National Soccer League title in 1987 and multiple cup tournaments.
Originally formed by Zulu migrant workers as the Zulu Royal Conquerors and supported by the Zulu King, this is one of South Africa’s oldest existing soccer teams.
They earned the nickname "Usuthu" and won the inaugural NPSL league title in 1972. In 2020, the club announced a groundbreaking revival under the ownership of Sandile Zungu, who purchased the club.
In recent years, AmaZulu have created a household name for their club, finishing in the top half of the table. In 2024/25 they secured a 4th-place finish in the Betway Premiership.
Bloemfontein Celtic have enjoyed similar success as their fellow oppositions and their contribution to South African football is captured in history books.
The club was based in the Free State and nicknamed “Siwelele”, in their existence, they won the Mainstay Cup in 1985 and the Telkom Knockout in 2012.
Celtic was loved and cherished by many fans as one of the most passionate and colourful fanbases on the continent.
Due to heavy financial responsibilities and internal issues, the club's top-flight status was sold in 2021.
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