Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with teammates during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 match between Orbit College and Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on the 23 May 2026 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Saturday May 23, 2026. 17:21
Orlando Pirates have dethroned Mamelodi Sundowns as the kings of South African football after they secured the Betway Premiership title on the final day of the 2025-26 season on Saturday.
Needing a win to leapfrog log leaders Sundowns (who finished their Premiership programme early due to their presence in the CAF Champions League final), the Buccaneers overcame Orbit College 2-0 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit thanks to own goals from Orbit College’s Sabelo Nkomo and Ndumiso Ngiba.
Pirates finished on 69 points – one ahead of Sundowns – and the two teams will represent South Africa in the 2026-27 edition of the CAF Champions League. It was the Buccaneers’ 10th league title in history, and a first since 2012. It also ended a run of eight straight championships for the Brazilians.
Kaizer Chiefs came home in third place despite their 1-0 loss at home to Chippa United (who kept themselves clear of relegation trouble thanks to Sammy Seabi’s goal) and they will play in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Nedbank Cup winners Durban City.
The top eight, who will make up the teams in next season’s MTN8, was completed by AmaZulu, Sekhukhune United, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City and Durban City.
Down at the bottom of the log, Magesi FC lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a 1-0 home win over Richards Bay, as Mcedi Vandala’s penalty secured a precious win.
That result, combined with College’s loss to Pirates, saw Magesi finish in 15th and they will enter the promotion/relegation playoffs alongside second-tier teams Cape Town City and Milford FC. College finished in 16th (last) place and suffered direct relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Betway Premiership final day results
Orlando Pirates 2-0 Orbit College
Durban City 0-1 AmaZulu
Golden Arrows 0-0 TS Galaxy
Magesi FC 1-0 Richards Bay
Marumo Gallants 0-0 Stellenbosch FC
Sekhukhune United 2-2 Siwelele FC
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Chippa United
Champions: Orlando Pirates
CAF CL qualification: Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns
CAF CC qualification: Kaizer Chiefs (third place) and Durban City (Nedbank Cup champions)
MTN8 qualification: Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City, Durban City
Relegation playoff: Magesi FC (to face Cape Town City and Milford FC)
Relegated: Orbit College