When you think of South African sports, soccer is not the first thing to come to mind. But the country is way more than just the home of one of the world’s top rugby teams. It has a very active sports scene, including the largest African MMA promotion, EFC. On top of that, it has a very active soccer scene, with quite a few major teams in the Premier Division.
While South Africa is not as successful at soccer as it is at rugby, it did earn its spot among the top 5 African soccer nations. The matches played by its teams are routinely covered by sports journals and bookmakers at onlinegamblingsa.co.za. So, let’s recount the top soccer teams in South Africa playing in the Premier Division.
Bidvest Wits
First of all, let us mention a club that doesn’t exist anymore – it was dissolved, and its top-flight status was sold. Bidvest Wits has its roots in the Wits University in Joburg and climbed into the spotlight in the mid-1970s. At the time, it had produced some of the top footballers in the country.
After years of ups and downs, the Wits won its first PSL title in the 2016-2017 season. Two years later, in turn, the club was dissolved, and its top-flight status was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC.
SuperSport United
Originally called Pretoria City FC, this club was rebranded upon its mid-1990s sale to M-Net. Since then, it has grown into a force to be reckoned with, winning the Premier Division three times in a row between 2007 and 2010, and finishing in the top 5 of the Premier Division 7 times ever since.
Kaizer Chiefs
With four titles and five runner-up finishes under their belt, the Kaizer Chiefs are one of the most successful South African soccer teams in history. Founded by Kaizer Motaung upon returning to South Africa after a successful career in the US, the team has become one of the most notable in the country, with a record 13 wins in both the Nedbank Cup and the Telkom Knockout, and 15 wins in the Top 8 Tournament.
Orlando Pirates
The Orlando Pirates are the Kaiser Chiefs’ arch-nemesis. Founded in 1937, the club has a record similar to the Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League (four wins) and has racked up a respectable record in the Nedbank Cup as well, with 9 titles. The Soweto Derby, the rivalry between the Pirates and the Chiefs, has been ongoing since 1970, with both teams having more than 20 wins on record.
Mamelodi Sundowns
The Sundowns have one of the most interesting nicknames in South African football – some call them the “Shoe Shine and Piano” referring to their style of play, similar to the Spanish tiki-taka.
The Sundowns won the Premier Division 13 times – 6 times in a row since the 2017-2018 season. They have also played in the FIFA Club World Cup once. Overall, the Sundowns are the most successful South African soccer team to date.
Conclusion
While South Africa is best known for its performance in rugby, its soccer scene is also active and popular. The country has produced some remarkable players, and most importantly, clubs over the years, some even shining internationally.
The top teams in the Premier Division are a testament to the South Africans’ love for sports, in general, and for soccer, in special.
