Motsepe Foundation Championship season set to start on 21 August

The 2026/27 Motsepe Foundation Championship is scheduled to begin on Friday, 21 August, according to a draft fixture list that also reveals Casric Stars will compete under the new name Real Native FC.

The change has been confirmed by the Mpumalanga club, which is due to open its campaign at home against Cape Town City at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.

The draft schedule, seen by Soccer Laduma, also lists Venda FC at home to Lerumo Lions on the opening Friday. That match is set to take place in Thohoyandou.

The second round of opening fixtures is planned for Saturday, 22 August, when newly promoted Hope FC will welcome the University of Pretoria to Athlone Stadium.

Hope FC, who are based in Cape Town, are among the teams joining the division for the new season. North West University, another of the newcomers, are scheduled to host Upington City at the NWU Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground.

Orbit College, relegated from the top flight, are due to begin their campaign away from home against Leicesterford. The match is listed for the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The opening fixtures in the draft are:

Friday, 21 August

– Real Native FC v Cape Town City – Solomon Mahlangu Stadium – Venda FC v Lerumo Lions – Thohoyandou

Saturday, 22 August

– Hope FC v University of Pretoria – Athlone Stadium – Hungry Lions v Gomora – Mxolisi Jacobs – Leicesterford v Orbit College – Lucas Moripe Stadium – Midlands v Magesi – Mpumalanga – NWU FC v Upington City – Fanie Du Toit – The Bees v Highbury – KaNyamazane

The fixtures remain provisional and may still be changed before the League publishes the official schedule. That document is expected to be released soon.

The draft list provides the first indication of the opening programme for the 2026/27 Motsepe Foundation Championship, while also confirming the identity under which Casric Stars will take part.

Real Native FC are scheduled to face Cape Town City in the first match involving the renamed club, with the fixture forming part of the league’s planned opening-day programme on 21 August. Meanwhile, Venda FC will also start their season on the same day in front of their home supporters against Lerumo Lions.

Saturday’s schedule includes six further matches, featuring the two newly promoted teams and Orbit College’s return to the second tier after relegation from the top flight. However, all venues and pairings are subject to confirmation when the League issues its final fixture document.