Teams
Kaizer Chiefs
Supersport United
Orlando Pirates
Chippa United
Mamelodi Sundowns
Maritzburg Utd
Golden Arrows
Amazulu
Cape Town City
Polokwane City
Bidvest Wits
Baroka FC
Ajax Cape Town
Royal AM FC
Free State Stars
Stellenbosch FC
Bloem Celtic
Moroka Swallows
Platinum Stars
TS Galaxy
Black Leopards
Highlands Park
Sekhukhune United FC
Black Aces
Pretoria University
Richards Bay FC
Marumo Gallants
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhadila
Jomo Cosmos
Wikipedia - South African Premier Division
The South African Premier Division, officially referred to as the DStv Premiership for sponsorship purposes, is the premier men's professional soccer league and the highest division in the league system of South Africa, organised since 1996.
As the top-level division in South Africa, it is commonly referred to as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) – the administrator of association football in the country.
History
The league was founded in 1996 after an agreement between the National Soccer League and the remnants of the National Professional Soccer League. It is stated on its website that the former name still exists today, but for legal purposes, with the Premier Soccer League being its trade name.
The league was reduced from 18 to 16 teams after the end of the 2001–02 season to avoid fixture congestion, causing the disbandment of two teams; Ria Stars and Free State Stars, though the latter was reformed and competing as of the 2020–21 season. In 2004, a match-fixing scandal rocked the football/soccer landscape in South Africa. An investigation codenamed "Operation Dribble" was launched by the police system of South Africa police in June 2004. More than 40 arrests were made, ranging from club bosses to match commissioners, referees and their assistants. Kaizer Chiefs successfully defended their league title in 2005 after they won the prestigious trophy in 2004 for the first time in a decade. The 2005–06 season saw Mamelodi Sundowns capturing the title for a fourth time. Since the 2017–18 season, they have dominated the league with winning league title after league title.
In 2007, the PSL signed a television deal with SuperSport worth R 1.6 billion, which was the biggest sporting deal in the history of the country and ranked the league into the top 15 in the world in terms of commercial broadcast deals. In the same year, ABSA replaced Castle Lager as the title sponsor, with the latter having sponsored the league since its inception. SuperSport United won 3 league titles in a row between 2008 and 2010.
As of May 2019, the league is rated as the 6th best in Africa according to the CAF 5-year ranking system.
For the 2018–19 season, the PSL gives each club a monthly grant of R 2 million, with funds coming from the television broadcasting rights and national sponsorships, with the league champion earning R 10 million.
In 2019, ABSA increased their sponsorship deal to the PSL to R 39.9 million, which meant that the league winners would secure R 15 million. ABSA would however announce its cancellation of its sponsorship with the PSL a year later on 4 June 2020.
On 24 September 2020, Dr. Irvin Khoza and MultiChoice announced on live television that the new sponsor would be DStv, effectively rebranding the league as the DStv Premiership. MultiChoice also announced that Showmax would replace DStv as the jersey sponsor of SuperSport United F.C. so the latter would be independent to sponsor the league outright.
CEOs
- Trevor Phillips: 1996–1998
- Joe Ndlela: 1998–2000
- Robin Petersen: 2000–2001 (resigned)
- Trevor Phillips: 2002–2007
- Kjetil Siem: 2007–2011
- Zola Majavu: 2011 (resigned)
- Stanley Matthews: 2012 (resigned)
- Cambridge Mokanyane: 2013 (acting)
- Brand de Villers: 2013–2015
- Mato Madlala: 2016 – present (acting)
The tournament features a thrilling and intense competition, with teams battling it out on the field to secure victory. The matches are filled with excitement, skillful displays of athleticism, and strategic gameplay, captivating both avid soccer fans and casual spectators alike.
The South Africa Premier tournament is known for its high level of competitiveness, as teams strive to outperform each other and showcase their abilities. The matches are played in state-of-the-art stadiums, providing a vibrant atmosphere for fans to cheer on their favorite teams and players.
The tournament also serves as a platform for emerging talent to shine, as young and promising players get the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage. This not only adds an element of unpredictability to the tournament but also contributes to the growth and development of soccer in South Africa.
The South Africa Premier tournament is not only about the on-field action but also about the sense of unity and national pride it fosters. It brings together people from diverse backgrounds, uniting them under the common love for the sport and their country. The tournament serves as a celebration of South African culture, with fans displaying their team colors, singing chants, and creating an electric atmosphere throughout the matches.
Overall, the South Africa Premier soccer tournament is a thrilling and highly anticipated event that showcases the best of South African soccer. It combines skill, passion, and national pride, making it a must-watch for soccer enthusiasts and a significant highlight in the country's sporting calendar.