A tale of two Premiership rivals: Stellenbosch FC's rise and Cape Town City's strife

As the Betway Premiership season nears its conclusion, two clubs from South Africa’s southern tip are navigating vastly different paths from opposite ends of the league table.

Stellenbosch FC, emerging as a formidable force, are chasing a second consecutive continental berth following an impressive CAF debut earlier this season. In stark contrast, Cape Town City find themselves anchored to the foot of the table with only two fixtures remaining and the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs looming large.

The battle for third place, which offers qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup, has intensified into a two-horse race between Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch.

Sekhukhune currently occupy third spot with 45 points, holding a slender one-point lead over Stellenbosch. The pair are clear of the chasing pack, particularly after fifth-placed TS Galaxy suffered a surprise home defeat at the hands of Richards Bay, effectively ending their challenge.

With Galaxy out of the equation, all eyes are now on Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch in the race for that prized continental ticket.

Sekhukhune’s final stretch is anything but straightforward. They will host Kaizer Chiefs on 17 May before travelling to face Lamontville Golden Arrows at the end of May. Realistically, they may need to win both matches to secure their spot in African competition.

Stellenbosch, however, enjoy a slight advantage with three matches still to play. They begin their run-in with a daunting away trip to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns this Sunday.

That clash will be followed by a home fixture against SuperSport United at Danie Craven Stadium (May 17), before concluding their campaign with a Cape derby against Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium (May 24).

Meanwhile, City’s fortunes have taken a nosedive. A demoralising run of 14 matches without a win has left them rooted at the bottom of the table with 23 points — three adrift of Golden Arrows and SuperSport United, who each have 26 points.

City’s recent defeat to Sundowns has made them favourites to land in 15th place and enter the dreaded promotion/relegation play-offs. Their final two matches offer little comfort: an away trip to Polokwane City on May 17, followed by a high-stakes derby against Stellenbosch on May 24.

Although survival is still mathematically possible, the odds are stacked against them — especially given their poor form and dwindling confidence.

Promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, meanwhile, remains undecided with at least two matchdays remaining in that league. Nine clubs are jostling for automatic promotion and the two play-off spots. 

City interim coach Diogo Peral, appointed in a desperate bid to turn things around, faces the unenviable task of rallying his squad under enormous pressure with that uncertainly also looming. For a team that once harboured ambitions of continental football, the reality of play-offs is a bitter pill to swallow.

Yet, the unpredictability of football keeps hope alive. With SuperSport United, Golden Arrows, Richards Bay and Magesi hovering just above City, a dramatic finale to the ‘Battle of the Basement’ remains possible.