South African Premier Division (DStv Premiership)
The South African Premier Division, currently known as the
DStv Premiership for sponsorship reasons, is the top-tier football league
in South Africa. It is operated by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and
founded in 1996, replacing the former National Soccer League (NSL).
The league is one of Africa’s wealthiest and most commercially successful competitions,
featuring iconic clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs,
and Orlando Pirates.
History and facts
The PSL was established in 1996 to professionalize and modernize South African football. Since then, it has grown into one of Africa’s most financially powerful leagues.
Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the league in the 2010s and 2020s, while Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates remain the country’s most supported clubs.
South Africa’s strong football culture, modern stadiums (built for the 2010 World Cup), and TV rights deals make the PSL a unique powerhouse in African football.
League system
The league features 16 teams.
The bottom placed team is relegated to the National First Division,
while the 15th-placed team enters promotion playoffs.
Table 1. South African football league pyramid
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Premier Division (DStv Premiership) | 1 |
| National First Division (Motsepe Foundation Championship) | 2 |
| SAFA Second Division (ABC Motsepe League) | 3 |
Below these are provincial amateur leagues.
Stats
Teams with most titles
Table 2. Most PSL titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 13+ |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 4 |
| Orlando Pirates | 4 |
| Bidvest Wits | 1 |
| Supersport United | 3 |
Mamelodi Sundowns dominate the modern era and are African giants.
Teams with most league participation
Table 3. Most seasons in PSL
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Kaizer Chiefs | 25+ |
| Orlando Pirates | 25+ |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 25+ |
| Supersport United | 22+ |
| Golden Arrows | 20+ |
The “big three” of South African football have been PSL mainstays.
Audience
Major stadiums
Table 4. Major stadiums in South Africa
| Stadium | Home Club | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| FNB Stadium (Soccer City) | Kaizer Chiefs | 94,000 |
| Loftus Versfeld | Mamelodi Sundowns | 51,000 |
| Orlando Stadium | Orlando Pirates | 40,000 |
| Cape Town Stadium | Cape Town City | 55,000 |
| Moses Mabhida Stadium | AmaZulu | 56,000 |
Players
Famous players
- Benni McCarthy
- Theo Waldram
- Lucas Radebe
- Doctor Khumalo
- Andile Jali
- Khama Billiat
- Percy Tau
- Itumeleng Khune
South African Premier Division timeline
1996
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is founded.
2000s
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates dominate early seasons.
2010
South Africa hosts the FIFA World Cup; new stadiums boost the league.
2014–2024
Mamelodi Sundowns dominate South African football.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Premier_Division
https://www.psl.co.za
https://rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Premier_Division
https://www.psl.co.za
https://rsssf.org
