The Betway Premiership is nearing the end, and the action on the park continues to be at its peak, with positions still up for grabs.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have set a bar that could potentially be hard to reach in their championship battle, but with a lot still to fight for, an opportunity to join them as they take on the continent's best is far from being decided, and it will be a big talking point for the remainder of the season.
Here, Obakeng Meletse looks at the league’s top four sides and their aspirations for the rest of the season.
1st: Mamelodi Sundowns
P-23 W-19 D-1 L-3 PTS: 58
Favourites to clinch their eighth consecutive league title, Sundowns are also on target for an 18th overall title, and judging on consistency throughout the season and the quality of football they have put on display, they are deserving of their current lead.
For the first time in the last seven seasons, they have found a worthy challenger in Orlando Pirates, and even though they are in pole position to secure the prize, they have been thrown curveballs throughout the campaign, and they have managed to maintain their advantage.
Currently in first place with a 15-point gap to Pirates, Sundowns can rest on the fact that despite the Bucaneers having four games in hand, there will be no guarantees and they still have their fate in their own hands.
Remaining fixtures: Stellenbosch FC (H) postponed (P), Royal AM (A), Richards Bay FC (H), Cape Town City (A), Magesi FC (H), and Chippa United (A).
2nd: Orlando Pirates
P- 19 W- 14 D-1 L-4 PTS: 43
The Buccaneers' second-place finish last season was decent at 50 points, but the 23-point gap between them and Sundowns made their season seem mediocre.
They are on course to surpass that mark, and they have seemingly improved a lot this season as they are still in the running for the title with eleven matches still left to be played.
The Sea Robbers have been guilty of dropping too many points, which can prove suicidal in a tightly contested league campaign. Their task will be pretty straight forward for the rest of the season; they need to win all their matches and hope for slip-ups from Sundowns.
Remaining Fixtures: Polokwane City (A), Supersport United (A), Magesi FC (H), Kaizer Chiefs (A), TS Galaxy (H), AmaZulu (A), Royal AM (A), Golden Arrows (A)P, Royal AM (H)P, Sekhukhune United (H)P.
3rd: Stellenbosch FC
P- 21 W- 9 D-8 L-4 PTS: 35
Outside the top two, Stellies have been the only consistent side in the last two seasons. The 2024/25 season hasn’t been the easiest for the Cape side, despite them still occupying third position.
They have had to find a good balance between domestic and continental football, and after having qualified for the last eight of the CAF Conferederation Cup, they have done fairly well despite losing key players like Jayden Adams in the last few months.
Stellies are level on 35 points with TS Galaxy, but they have an advantage in the race for third place with two games in hand over the Rockets.
Remaining Fixtures: Magesi FC (A), Mamelodi Sundowns (A) P, AmaZulu (A), Chippa United (H), Supersport United (H), Golden Arrows (A) and Cape Town City (A)
4th: TS Galaxy
P-23 W-9 9 D-8 L-6 PTS: 35
From rock bottom to total transformation, the Rockets have been shooting for the stars since Adnan Beganovic took over, and they currently find themselves in it with a shout to secure continental football for themselves next season.
Without looking too far ahead, Galaxy are only one point ahead of fifth-placed Sekhukhune United, and their fixture against them at home could be a potential shootout to see who finishes above the other.
Remaining Fixtures: Marumo Gallants (H), Kaizer Chiefs (A), Magesi FC (A), Sekhukhune United (H), Richards Bay FC (H), Orlando Pirates (A), and Royal AM (H).