The 2026/27 Betway Premiership season kicked off with drama, 15 goals, and early victories across the board. From new rule enforcement to work permit snags, FARPost takes a look at the major highlights from the season’s opening weekend.
It was an eventful Matchday One, which saw traditional giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs picking up maximum points in their respective games. Five teams recorded victories while the other two games ended in draws.
Mamelodi Sundowns were not in action after requesting the postponement of their game against Marumo Gallants. The Brazilians only landed back in South Africa on Sunday from a pre-season training camp in Europe.
1. APPOLLIS THE FIRST PLAYER TO SCORE THIS SEASON
Pirates winger Oswin Appollis became the first player to register his name on the scoresheet this season with a well-struck freekick which was the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena. The Bafana Bafana star scored in the 24th minute to set the tone for the other 14 goals that were witnessed during the weekend.
Also making Appollis’ goal special was that he dedicated it to his late friend and national team roommate, Jayden Adams. The Buccaneers star celebrated by signalling 23, the shirt number Adams wore at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
2. PSL PLAYERS YET TO GRASP NEW FOOTBALL RULES
The 2026 FIFA World Cup saw the implementation of new International Football Association Board rules. These include players not being allowed to cover their mouths while speaking to opponents and the issuing of red cards to players walking off the pitch in protest.
The opening weekend of the 2026/27 season saw some PSL players being found wanting on some of the rules, starting with the Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC match. The most common rule that was broken was the delay in throw-ins.
After a five-second visual countdown by the referee, throw-ins were given to opposing teams. Corner-kicks are also awarded following delays in taking goal-kicks by the opponent.
3. FIRST RED CARD OF THE SEASON GOES TO TS GALAXY KEEPER MASETI
TS Galaxy goalkeeper Mpho Maseti became the first man to receive a red card this season. He was sent off in stoppage time during the 2-2 draw with Siwelele FC at Toyota Stadium on Sunday.
The goalkeeper was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area. However, Maseti might argue that he was confused by rugby markings that appeared as lines indicating his goal area.
But goalkeeper coaches might counter this argument by saying that Maseti was not alert enough to be fully in charge of his goal area.
4. MDU SHABALALA NOT IN KAIZER CHIEFS COACH DA CRUZ’S PLANS?
It was a weekend in which midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala was sent to Lesotho to play for Chiefs’ reserve side in a friendly match against Lefofane FC on Sunday. Shabalala started in the game, which ended 3-1 in favour of Amakhosi at Setsoto Stadium.
A day earlier, the Soweto giants’ first team had beaten Kruger United 3-1 at Mbombela Stadium.
Shabalala also did not feature in the Toyota Cup against Scottland FC the previous weekend. His absence has raised questions about whether or not he is in coach Fernando da Cruz’s plans for the season.
5. PSL NEWSBOYS BITE THE DUST
The opening weekend might have served as a rude welcome for the PSL newcomers, Milford FC and Kruger United, who lost their respective games. Despite some early resistance and threat, Milford went on to lose 2-0 to Pirates.
Kruger were defeated 3-1 by Chiefs in what was a slow start in the top-flight league for the debutants.
6. WORK PERMIT WOES FOR KAZE AND TWO SEKHUKHUNE PLAYERS
Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze was not on the bench when his side edged Durban City FC1-1 at Seshego Stadium on Saturday. The former Chiefs coach is yet to obtain his work permit, and that has prevented him from directing proceedings from the dugout.
Also joining Kaze on the sidelines were his players, Nigeria striker Chibuike Ohizu and Namibian international forward Bethuel Muzeu. Ohizu rejoined Babina Noko from Siwelele FC, where he spent last season on loan, while Mzeu came in from Black Leopards, and the two are still waiting for their work permits.
7. NOTORIOUS PIRATES BALL BOYS
During the match against Milford FC, referee Christopher Kistoor had to briefly stop the game to address the issue of Pirates ballboys delaying in making match balls available whenever the visitors needed to take a throw-in or goal kick. Despite Pirates leading, the ball boys still made life difficult for Milford, who were pushing for a comeback.
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