Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants opening Premiership fixture postponed

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed the postponement of the opening South African Premiership fixture between Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants, with the match now scheduled to take place on August 19.

The encounter was initially set to form part of the opening weekend programme of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, but Sundowns requested a postponement after experiencing disruptions to their pre-season preparations.

The reigning champions cited the delayed start to their preparations following the tragic passing of midfielder Jayden Adams as one of the reasons behind the request. The club was forced to adjust its pre-season plans during a difficult period of mourning, affecting the team’s readiness ahead of the new campaign.

After considering Sundowns’ request, the PSL approved the rescheduling of the fixture, allowing the Brazilians additional time to prepare for the demanding season ahead.

The match between Sundowns and Marumo Gallants will now be played on Wednesday, August 19, giving both teams more time to organise their squads and preparations before meeting in what is expected to be a highly competitive league encounter.

Despite the postponement, the PSL has confirmed that the remainder of the opening weekend Betway Premiership fixtures will proceed as planned.

Sundowns, who have dominated South African football in recent years, will begin their title defence at a later stage, while Marumo Gallants will have to wait before officially launching their league campaign.

The postponement adds an unusual twist to the start of the new season, but the PSL remains committed to ensuring that the league schedule is maintained while also accommodating clubs facing exceptional circumstances.