After having their opening Betway Premiership fixture postponed, 15-time PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns will get their league campaign underway as part of a full round of midweek fixtures played on the midweek of 11 and 12 August.
Sundowns, who won eight straight Premiership titles from 2017/18 to 2024/25, kicked off their season this past weekend in the MTN8, defeating Polokwane City 3-2 in a hard-fought cup tie that went a full 120 minutes.
On Tuesday evening they will head to the Mbombela Stadium for a clash with hosts TS Galaxy, who got their league season underway with a 2-2 draw away to Siwelele FC on the first weekend of August.
Despite the Rockets twice fighting back from a goal down for a share of the spoils in Bloemfontein, coach Bernard Parker is hoping for a more complete performance against the Brazilians.
“We didn't take much control where we needed to take control and manage the game [against Siwelele],” said the former Bafana Bafana forward.
“Also, on the other end, our aggression wasn't how we wanted it to be and how we expected the players to be proactive in winning the ball.
“We did create chances, and it is expected of us to convert those chances. If we could have just minimised a few mistakes, I think the result would have been better.”
Tuesday also features Chippa United hosting Marumo Gallants at the Dobsonville Stadium, rookies Kruger United heading to Rustenburg for a clash with Marumo Gallants (who are playing their first match of the season, as their opener was scheduled to be against Sundowns), and Polokwane City welcoming Stellenbosch FC to the Seshego Stadium.
Wednesday is headlined by champions Orlando Pirates facing AmaZulu in Durban. The Buccaneers opened the defence of their title with a 2-0 win over Milford FC, and this past weekend they huffed and puffed to overcome 10-man Durban City 2-1 after extra time in the MTN8 quarterfinals.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists that he will continue to select his strongest team at all times, despite the playing load his squad will bear this season.
“I’m always going to play the strongest team and the people who deserve to start will show me at training and in the preparation. I don’t give people flowers (favours) because when we lose three games, whose head (is) on the block?”
Kaizer Chiefs will also grab the spotlight when they host Sekhukhune United at the FNB Stadium, as the Amakhosi look to build on their opening 3-1 win over Kruger United, as well as bouncing back from a surprise 1-0 loss at the hands of Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarterfinals this past weekend.
Wednesday also features a derby pitting Durban City against Golden Arrows at the Chatsworth Stadium, and Milford FC will welcome Siwelele FC to the Richards Bay Stadium.
Betway Premiership midweek fixtures
All matches kick-off at 7.30pm CAT
Tuesday 11 August
Chippa United v Richards Bay
Marumo Gallants v Kruger United
Polokwane City v Stellenbosch FC
TS Galaxy v Mamelodi Sundowns
Wednesday 12 August
AmaZulu FC v Orlando Pirates
Durban City v Golden Arrows
Kaizer Chiefs v Sekhukhune United
Milford FC v Siwelele FC