Organising body | Premier Soccer League |
---|---|
Founded | 1996 |
Country | South Africa |
Confederation | CAF |
Number of teams | 16 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Motsepe Foundation Championship |
Domestic cup(s) | |
League cup(s) | Carling Knockout Cup |
International cup(s) | |
Current champions | Mamelodi Sundowns (14th title) (2023–24) |
Most championships | Mamelodi Sundowns (14 titles) |
Top goalscorer | Siyabonga Nomvethe (123 goals) |
TV partners | |
Website | PSL.co.za |
Current: 2024–25 South African Premiership |
The South African Premiership, officially referred to as the Betway Premiership for sponsorship purposes, is the premier men's professional soccer league and the highest division in the league system of South Africa, organised since 1996.
As the top-level division in South Africa, it is commonly referred to as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) – the administrator of association football in the country. [1] The season 24/25 starts on the 14th of September 2024 with Sundowns being the most recent champions and looking to clinch yet another title under a new regime
The league was founded in 1996 after an agreement between the National Soccer League and the remnants of the National Professional Soccer League. It is stated on its website that the former name still exists today, but for legal purposes, with the Premier Soccer League being its trade name. [2]
The league was reduced from 18 to 16 teams after the end of the 2001–02 season to avoid fixture congestion, causing the disbandment of two teams; Ria Stars and Free State Stars, though the latter was reformed and competing as of the 2020–21 season. In 2004, a match-fixing scandal rocked the football/soccer landscape in South Africa. An investigation codenamed "Operation Dribble" was launched by the police system of South Africa police in June 2004. More than 40 arrests were made, ranging from club bosses to match commissioners, referees and their assistants. Kaizer Chiefs successfully defended their league title in 2005 after they won the prestigious trophy in 2004 for the first time in a decade. The 2005–06 season saw Mamelodi Sundowns capturing the title for a fourth time. Since the 2017–18 season, they have dominated the league with winning league title after league title.
In 2007, the PSL signed a television deal with SuperSport worth R 1.6 billion, which was the biggest sporting deal in the history of the country and ranked the league into the top 15 in the world in terms of commercial broadcast deals. In the same year, ABSA replaced Castle Lager as the title sponsor, with the latter having sponsored the league since its inception. SuperSport United won 3 league titles in a row between 2008 and 2010.
As of August 2024, the league is rated fourth in Africa according to the CAF 5-year ranking system.
For the 2018–19 season, the PSL gives each club a monthly grant of R 2 million, with funds coming from the television broadcasting rights and national sponsorships, with the league champion earning R 10 million.
In 2019, ABSA increased their sponsorship deal to the PSL to R 39.9 million, [3] which meant that the league winners would secure R 15 million. ABSA would however announce its cancellation of its sponsorship with the PSL a year later on 4 June 2020. [4]
On 24 September 2020, DStv were announced as the new sponsor, with the league being rebranded as the DStv Premiership. [5] [6] MultiChoice also announced that Showmax would replace DStv as the jersey sponsor of SuperSport United F.C. so the latter would be independent to sponsor the league outright. [5]
On the 24th of July 2024, it was announced that Betway would be sponsoring the league, with DSTV's contract ending a year early due to Multichoice's financial troubles. This is one of the biggest sponsorships in South African football history worth R900-Million for the term of 3 years. [7]
Association ranking for the 2021–22 CAF Champions League and the 2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup will be based on results from each CAF tournament from 2017 to 2020–21.
Rank | Association | 2017 (× 1) | 2018 (× 3) | 2018–19 (× 3) | 2019–20 (× 4) | 2020–21 (× 5) | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 2020 | Mvt | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | CL | CC | ||
1 | 1 | — | Morocco | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 183 |
2 | 2 | — | Egypt | 7 | 0.5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 173.5 |
3 | 3 | — | Tunisia | 7 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 131 |
4 | 5 | +1 | Algeria | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 109 |
5 | 6 | +1 | South Africa | 3 | 4.5 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0.5 | 8 | 2 | 93.5 |
6 | 4 | –2 | DR Congo | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 75 |
7 | 9 | +2 | Guinea | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 38 |
8 | 8 | — | Nigeria | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 37.5 |
9 | 7 | –2 | Zambia | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1.5 | 35 |
10 | 10 | — | Angola | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31.5 |
11 | 11 | — | Sudan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 |
12 | 13 | +1 | Tanzania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.5 | 27.5 |
The league has had title sponsorships since its inception. Like the EFL League One and the Premier League divisions in England, the league takes its title sponsor's name to determine its official common name:
As of the 2024–25 season, the league is composed of 16 teams competing from August to May each season, similar to the format of most European football leagues. Each team plays the other teams twice in a double round-robin format using the three points for a win system.
At the conclusion of each season, the champion and runner-up of the Premier Division qualify for the CAF Champions League, while the 3rd-place team and the Nedbank Cup champions qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. The bottom team in the league is automatically relegated and replaced by the winner of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, whiles the team finishing immediately above the bottom team enters a mini-league playoff series with the 2nd and 3rd-placed league-finished teams of the National First Division, with the playoff winners earning their place in the Premiership for the following season.
The league's broadcaster is SuperSport, who in turn sub-leases the broadcasting rights to the SABC, so as to broadcast some matches on public television in South Africa. SuperSport was awarded an initial $277 million 5-year broadcast/TV rights deal in 2007 by the Premier Soccer League to help commercialize the league globally beyond South Africa. [9] matches on sunset times between Tuesdays and Fridays and on weekends whereas the SABC telecast matches played on Wednesday nights and on weekends.
Since 2016, as SuperSport is a brand owned by the MultiChoice Group, the league is available to watch live and on demand via their specified services; the DStv App (formerly DStv Mobile and DStv Now) and Showmax Pro. Both are accessible via the DStv website for PC and Mac and as mobile apps on Android and iOS/iPadOS for mobile phones, tablets and Smart TVs.
Team | Titles | Years |
---|---|---|
Mamelodi Sundowns | 14 | 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023-24 |
Orlando Pirates | 4 | 2000–01, 2002–03, 2010–11, 2011–12 |
Kaizer Chiefs | 2003–04, 2004–05, 2012–13, 2014–15 | |
SuperSport United | 3 | 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 |
Manning Rangers | 1 | 1996–97 |
Santos | 2001–02 | |
Bidvest Wits | 2016–17 | |
Manager(s) | Club(s) | Win(s) | Winning year(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Pitso Mosimane | Mamelodi Sundowns (5) | 5 | 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
Ted Dumitru | Mamelodi Sundowns (2), Kaizer Chiefs (2) | 4 | 1997–98, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2004–05 |
Gavin Hunt | SuperSport United (3), Bidvest Wits | 4 | 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17 |
Gordon Igesund | Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns | 4 | 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07 |
Rhulani Mokwena | Mamelodi Sundowns (4) | 4 | 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Stuart Baxter | Kaizer Chiefs (2) | 2 | 2012–13, 2014–15 |
Manqoba Mngqithi | Mamelodi Sundowns (2) | 2 | 2020–21, 2021–22 |
As of the 2023–24 season.
Club | Number of seasons in Premier Division | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Kaizer Chiefs | 28 | all |
Mamelodi Sundowns | 28 | all |
Orlando Pirates | 28 | all |
SuperSport United | 28 | all |
Moroka Swallows | 23 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Bidvest Wits | 22 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
Bloemfontein Celtic | 22 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 |
Cape Town Spurs /Ajax Cape Town [note 1] | 22 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2023–24 |
Lamontville Golden Arrows | 22 | 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
AmaZulu | 20 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003–04, [note 2] 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Free State Stars | 19 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, [note 3] 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 |
Maritzburg United | 16 | 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 |
Jomo Cosmos | 15 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2015–16 |
Santos | 15 | 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12 |
Platinum Stars | 14 | 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, [note 4] 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17 |
Black Leopards | 11 | 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2019–20, 2020–21 |
Chippa United | 11 | 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Bush Bucks | 9 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06 |
Manning Rangers | 9 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05 |
Cape Town City | 8 | 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Hellenic | 8 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 |
Polokwane City | 8 | 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2023–24 |
Baroka | 6 | 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 |
Mpumalanga Black Aces | 6 | 1996–97, [note 5] 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
Dynamos | 5 | 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06 |
Stellenbosch | 5 | 2019-20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
African Wanderers | 4 | 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03 |
Tembisa Classic | 4 | 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06 |
TS Galaxy | 4 | 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
University of Pretoria | 4 | 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
Highlands Park | 3 | 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20 |
Royal AM | 3 | 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Sekhukhune United F.C. | 3 | 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Vaal Professionals | 3 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 |
Marumo Gallants | 2 | 2021–22, 2022–23 |
Real Rovers | 2 | 1996–97, 1997–98 |
Richards Bay | 2 | 2022–23, 2023–24 |
Ria Stars | 2 | 2000–01, 2001–02 |
Thanda Royal Zulu | 2 | 2007–08, 2008–09 |
Bay United | 1 | 2008–09 |
Benoni Premier United | 1 | 2006–07 |
Michau Warriors | 1 | 1996–97 |
Mother City | 1 | 1999–2000 |
Seven Stars | 1 | 1998–99 [note 1] |
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila | 1 | 2020–21 |
Vasco da Gama | 1 | 2010–11 |
NB: list includes all players who have scored at least 100 goals in the PSL era. Also includes cup competitions.
Source: [13]
Bold entries are participating in the current season.
Orlando Pirates Football Club is a South African professional football club based in Orlando, Soweto that plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as Betway Premiership. The team plays its home matches at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of South African football league system. Founded in the 1970s, the team plays its home games in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Pitso John Hamilton Mosimane is a South African former professional football player and is the current manager of Abha. He is the former coach of SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Al Ahli Saudi and Al Wahda.
The 1999–2000 Premier Soccer League, known as the 1999–2000 Castle Premiership for sponsorship purposes, was the fourth season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. The season began on 30 July 1999 and ended on 4 June 2000. Mamelodi Sundowns once again managed to secure their crown, sealing their third successive PSL title. Along with their success in the PSL's predecessor - winning three National Soccer League titles in 1988, 1990 and 1993 - this gave Mamelodi Sundowns their 6th South African championship. Sundowns tallied 75 points for the season, equalling the points record they jointly set with Kaizer Chiefs last season, but unlike the previous season in which the title was decided by goal difference, there was no close title race this season as Sundowns finished comfortably ahead of second placed Orlando Pirates with an 11-point margin.
The 1998–99 Premier Soccer League, known as the 1998–99 Castle Premiership for sponsorship purposes, was the third season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. The season began on 31 July 1998 and ended on 9 June 1999. Mamelodi Sundowns became the first team in PSL history to defend their title as they won their second straight PSL title and their fifth South African title after previously winning the PSL's predecessor - the National Soccer League - on three occasions. In a hotly contested title race between Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs it came down to goal difference to separate the two as both finished on a joint record 75 points. A margin of +5 in goal difference was all that separated the two teams as Sundowns won their second in what would be a hat-trick of PSL titles.
Nedbank Cup is a South African club football (soccer) tournament. The knockout tournament, based on the English FA Cup format, was one of a weak opponent facing a stronger one. The competition was sponsored by ABSA until 2007, after which Nedbank took over sponsorship.
The 2009–10 Premier Soccer League season was the fourteenth since its establishment. Supersport United were the defending champions, having won their second premier league title in the 2008–09 season. The campaign began in August 2009, and ended in March 2010. A total of 16 teams competed in the league. SuperSport United were crowned champions for the third successive time two matches before the end despite losing to Bidvest Wits (1–2) in the last match.
Khama Billiat is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a winger.
The 2013–14 South African Premier Division season was the eighteenth season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. The draw for the Premier Division fixtures for the 2013/2014 season was held on 20 June 2013. The season was scheduled to begin on 2 August 2013 and end on 10 May 2014.
The top tier of football in South Africa was renamed the Premier Soccer League, for the start of the 1996-97 season. The following page details the football records and statistics of the Premier Division since that date.
The 2014–15 South African Premier Division season was the nineteenth season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. Fixtures were announced 5 June 2014. The league opened on 8 August 2014 and will conclude on 9 May 2015.
The 2015–16 South African Premier Division season is the twentieth season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996.
The Nedbank Cup is a South African club football (soccer) tournament. The knockout tournament, based on the English FA Cup format, was one of a weak opponent facing a stronger one. The competition was sponsored by ABSA until 2007, after which Nedbank took over sponsorship.
The 2016–17 South African Premier Division season is the 21st season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996.
The 2018–19 South African Premier Division season was the 23rd season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. The season began in August 2018 and concluded in May 2019. Mamelodi Sundowns are the champions.
The 2019–20 South African Premier Division season was the 24th season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. The season began in August 2019 and concluded in September 2020. Mamelodi Sundowns were the two-time defending champions. This season's winner will qualify for the 2020–21 CAF Champions League along with the second-placed team. The 3rd placed team and Nedbank Cup winners qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
The 2020–21 South African Premier Division season was the 25th season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. Mamelodi Sundowns were the three-time defending champions. This season's winner will qualify for the 2021–22 CAF Champions League along with the second placed team. The 3rd placed team and Nedbank Cup winners qualify for the 2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup.
The 2021–22 South African Premier Division season from 20 August 2021 to 30 May 2022 was the 26th season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. Mamelodi Sundowns were the four-time defending champions. This season's winner will qualify for the 2022–23 CAF Champions League along with the second placed team. The 3rd placed team and Nedbank Cup winners qualify for the 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup.
The 2022–23 South African Premier Division from 5 August 2022 to 20 May 2023 was the 27th season of the Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1996. Mamelodi Sundowns successfully defended the title for the 6th time, having won the title from the 2017–18 season. Sekhukhune United relocated from Ellis Park Stadium to Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The 2024–25 South African Premiership is the 29th consecutive season of the South African Premiership. It is known as the Betway Premiership for sponsorship reasons, after the premature end of the sponsorship from the league's previous sponsor, DSTV. The season will run from 14 September 2024 and will be concluded in May 2025. Mamelodi Sundowns are defending champions and will defend their title after winning it in 7 consecutive seasons starting from 2017-18 season.