KwaZulu-Natal clubs eye strong second half in Betway Premiership

The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season has shown early signs of developing into a fiercely competitive campaign, and for KwaZulu-Natal’s four representatives, the opening half has produced a blend of promise and clear areas requiring improvement.

As has become customary, champions Mamelodi Sundowns remain the benchmark, with the chasing pack eager to knock them off their perch. Orlando Pirates have already shown they are prepared to push the champions hard, while AmaZulu have ensured KZN remains in the conversation after a strong start to the campaign.

With the points gap across the table remaining narrow, the second half of the season assumes added significance, particularly for teams juggling ambitions at both ends of the standings.

For the province’s quartet, the emphasis will be on sustaining momentum and improving consistency as the pressure inevitably rises.

AmaZulu (5th)

AmaZulu have enjoyed the most impressive opening to the season among the KZN clubs. Given the extensive squad overhaul at the start of the campaign—which saw several experienced players depart in favour of a younger group—their performances have been especially encouraging.

Usuthu, under the guidance of Arthur Zwane, have had an uneven start but maintained enough consistency to stay in the top five. Seven wins and four draws from 14 matches leave them four points behind Orlando Pirates, despite two games in hand for the Buccaneers. The resumption of league action brings a stern challenge against a tricky TS Galaxy side at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Galaxy are direct rivals in the race for a top-five finish and have already handed AmaZulu a heavy 3-1 defeat earlier this season. While a top-eight finish would be a respectable outcome, AmaZulu’s strong start has raised expectations, placing a top-five finish well within reach.

Durban City (7th)

Few would have predicted such a strong start from Durban City following their promotion last season, but the newcomers have approached life in the top flight with confidence and intent. Their early performances suggest ambitions that stretch beyond merely securing Premiership survival.

However, the untimely departure of Gavin Hunt could pose a challenge in the months ahead. The change threatens to disrupt the momentum they had built and may make the second half of the season more demanding. City could find themselves fighting to remain in the top eight, with much now hinging on Sinethemba Badela’s ability to settle quickly into his role as head coach.

Richards Bay (9th)

A difficult opening to the campaign, which included three consecutive defeats, has since given way to a more positive run of results for the Natal Rich Boys. That recovery has lifted Richards Bay into ninth place, just four points shy of eighth-placed TS Galaxy.

Currently unbeaten in their last four matches, Richards Bay resume their campaign with a challenging encounter against Siwelele FC. After sneaking into the top eight on the final day of last season, they have once again positioned themselves as contenders for a top-half finish. While the squad possesses the quality to achieve that objective, greater efficiency will be required—particularly in turning their draws into wins.

Golden Arrows (10th)

Golden Arrows have shown flashes of brilliance this season, yet eight defeats from 14 matches leave them in 10th, a stark reminder that promise alone is not enough.

Despite being hit with a FIFA transfer ban earlier in the campaign, Manqoba Mngqithi still has a squad capable of producing a strong second half. The quality remains to challenge for a top-eight finish, but Arrows must find a way to convert performances into consistent results if they are to climb the table.