The Motsepe Foundation Championship begins its new season this weekend, with nine fixtures scheduled across South Africa as clubs start their campaigns for promotion and silverware.
The opening round gets under way on Friday, 21 August. Real Native FC will host Cape Town City FC at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, while Venda FC will face Lerumo Lions FC at Thohoyandou Stadium.
The second tier returns after a dramatic 2025/26 season in which Kruger United FC finished top of the table and secured automatic promotion to the top flight.
Cape Town City FC ended the campaign in second place, with Milford FC third. Both teams advanced to the promotion play-offs, which offered another route into South Africa’s top division.
Milford FC ultimately won the promotion play-off mini-league and joined Kruger United FC in earning promotion for the new season.
At the other end of the standings, Baroka FC and Black Leopards FC were relegated to the ABC Motsepe League after finishing at the bottom of the table.
The competition will also feature the return of Magesi FC and Orbit College FC, who both lost their top-flight status.
Orbit College FC were relegated directly on the final day of last season, while Magesi FC were beaten in the promotion/relegation play-offs. Their return adds another layer of interest to a division expected to produce a closely fought promotion battle.
The opening schedule is:
Friday, 21 August
Real Native FC v Cape Town City FC Solomon Mahlangu Stadium
Venda FC v Lerumo Lions FC Thohoyandou Stadium
Saturday, 22 August
Nine matches are due to be played across the opening weekend, giving supporters their first opportunity to assess the division’s new-look squads and identify the teams likely to challenge at the top.
Cape Town City FC, University of Pretoria and Upington City FC are among the clubs hoping to make an early statement, although the opening round will also provide an initial test for the other promotion contenders.
The campaign carries significant importance at both ends of the table. Automatic promotion and play-off places will be contested at the summit, while clubs at the bottom will be fighting to avoid a drop into the ABC Motsepe League.
With Kruger United FC and Milford FC having moved up to the top flight, and Magesi FC and Orbit College FC returning to the second tier, the balance of power in the Motsepe Foundation Championship has shifted.
The opening fixtures will offer the first clues about which teams have adapted best and whether last season’s leading sides can be replaced by new challengers.
After the delays surrounding the start, the Motsepe Foundation Championship is finally ready to begin.
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