South African FA Cup race down to final spot as one place remains undecided

The race for places in next season’s MTN8 has reached its decisive stage, with only one slot still to be confirmed as the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign nears its conclusion.

A review of the standings shows that Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City are already guaranteed participation, while several other clubs have also done enough to secure top-eight positions.

If the season ended now, the MTN8 line-up would feature Mamelodi Sundowns, Durban City, Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows, AmaZulu FC and Sekhukhune United. Every side listed above apart from Durban City is mathematically safe, leaving one remaining place still in contention.

Durban City’s position remains under threat heading into the final round of fixtures, with Stellenbosch FC and Siwelele FC still capable of overtaking them depending on results next Saturday.

The final league matches will therefore determine the last participant in a competition that continues to carry significant financial reward, with the MTN8 winner set to receive R10 million and each of the other seven clubs earning R1 million.

Beyond the immediate qualification battle, attention also turns to the enduring rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, two clubs whose seasonal fortunes are often measured against each other.

In the 29 completed PSL seasons since the start of the professional era in 1996/97, Orlando Pirates have finished higher than Kaizer Chiefs on 15 occasions, while Chiefs have done so 14 times. That balance will tilt further in favour of Pirates this season, with confirmation that they will again end above their Soweto rivals.

Historical margins between the two giants underline the shifting dominance, with Chiefs’ biggest advantage recorded at seven places in 2016/17, while Pirates’ largest gap was eight positions in 2023/24.

Over the last nine seasons, Pirates have finished ahead on seven occasions, reflecting their recent consistency.

Both clubs have won the league four times each, although Mamelodi Sundowns remain the dominant force with 16 titles, ahead of SuperSport United with three and former winners Manning Rangers, Santos and Bidvest Wits, who each have one. Pirates will aim to strengthen their momentum when they face Orbit College on Saturday, 23 May.

The MTN8 remains one of the most lucrative and prestigious knockout competitions in South African football, offering early silverware opportunities at the start of each campaign and setting the tone for the season ahead.

Clubs place significant value on finishing inside the top eight, not only for financial gain but also for momentum and confidence heading into the new term.

With qualification now effectively settled for most teams, the final weekend carries heightened significance mainly for Durban City and their direct challengers, who must respond to the pressure of a single remaining ticket into next season’s elite group of contenders.