Betway Premiership resumes | Five key clashes to watch as the title race and relegation scrap ignite

The Betway Premiership returns on Monday with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Orbit College as they bid to close the gap on pace-setters Orlando Pirates.

It is a match the Brazilians should have no problems winning to put pressure on the Buccaneers. Here, senior football reporter Matshelane Mamabolo looks at some of the matches of serious significance taking place over the next fortnight.

Sekhukhune United v Stellenbosch FC

Tuesday @Peter Mokaba Stadium

Gavin Hunt said all the right things at his maiden media conference as coach of Stellenbosch FC, having taken over from Steve Barker. Like Stellies, who are a shadow of their former competitive selves, Hunt has seemingly lost that championship-winning aura he used to wear with pride. It appears to be the perfect match between club and coach, with both nursing the same ambition of returning to their glory days. This match against a Sekhukhune side that is doing pretty well will be a great indicator of whether “Huntie” still has it and if Stellies can rekindle their magic.

Kaizer Chiefs v Golden Arrows

Tuesday @FNB Stadium

For a club intent on bringing back the glory days, Amakhosi’s lack of activity during this mid-season transfer window has been strange. The Glamour Boys are there or thereabouts among the title-chasers, occupying fourth place and sitting a mere four points behind leaders Pirates, though they have played a match more. However, Chiefs’ performances in the initial stage of the campaign did not scream championship material. This opener against Manqoba Mngqithi’s Arrows — a team with a penchant for turning it on against the so-called big clubs — will be a true test of Amakhosi’s credentials. Many believe they should have beefed up.

TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants

Wednesday @Mbombela Stadium

A former coach of Galaxy once said the club could have been much more competitive had they not lost their key players so frequently. He was right. It appears club boss Tim Sukazi is the new Jomo Sono of the local game, focused more on developing players into stars and selling them on. They have lost two key figures during this transfer window: Khulumani Ndamane has moved to Mamelodi Sundowns and Puso Dithejane has trekked to America to join MLS side Chicago Fire. How they fare against Gallants without these two makes this match worth watching.

Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates

Saturday @Peter Mokaba Stadium

This is a revenge match. The Buccaneers will be looking to get even for the 1-0 defeat Ba Bina Noko inflicted on them back in August at Orlando Stadium. But Eric Tinkler’s men will be eager to rediscover their early-season form and move level on points with the table-topping Pirates. While they went slightly off the boil towards the end of the year, Sekhukhune have managed to stay in the hunt for honours and are just three points behind Pirates, despite having played a match more. Expect this one to produce fireworks.

Orbit College v Chippa United

January 27 @Olympia Park Stadium

It is too early to be speaking of relegation, but both clubs know only too well that their future as elite league sides is hanging in the balance. Rookies Orbit are likely to lose Monday’s tie at champions Mamelodi Sundowns and will be eager to make home-ground advantage count when bottom-dwellers Chippa visit Rustenburg. Chippa go into the new year with Vusumuzi Vilakazi still striving to settle in as coach, having taken charge late in 2025, while Orbit begin life without the talismanic Monnapule Saleng. An intriguing clash awaits.