Mkhulise Saves Sundowns. Chiefs Win at FNB.
Milford Take Their First Three Points.
Full Matchday 2 Review.

Eight matches across two nights completed the picture for Matchday 2. Tuesday brought Mkhulise's late brace for Sundowns, six goals at Seshego, and a stubborn 0-0 in Rustenburg. Wednesday saw Chiefs win comfortably at FNB, Milford FC claim their first home three points at Richards Bay Stadium, Pirates drop points at AmaZulu, and Durban City fail to break down Golden Arrows. With all 16 clubs now having played at least once, the table begins to tell its early story.

TS Galaxy 2–3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns had 76% of the ball, an xG of 3.77 against Galaxy's 0.56, 21 shots to 7, and 31 box touches to 11. And yet, with less than two minutes of regulation remaining, they were trailing. This was not a comfortable evening for Miguel Cardoso's side — it was a statement about how cruelly football can punish even the most dominant possession team when the finishes don't come.

Brayan Léon gave Sundowns the lead from the penalty spot on 7 minutes. Victor Letsoalo — becoming a recurring name in PSL affairs — levelled for Galaxy on 33 minutes, finishing a Tshepo Kakora assist. Sundowns pressed relentlessly through the second half, replacing Van Wyk with Mailula and bringing on Rayners from 72 minutes, but could not break a resilient Galaxy backline. Then, on 77 minutes, Ronwen Williams turned the ball into his own net — the Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, who had been so reliable during the World Cup, gifting Galaxy a 2-1 lead that looked, against all logic, as though it might hold.

It did not hold. Sphelele Mkhulise, who had been introduced at the 63rd minute, equalised on 88 minutes. Then, deep into four minutes of added time, he found the net again — assisted by Khuliso Mudau — to complete one of the most dramatic comebacks of the early season. Sundowns escape Nelspruit with three points they barely deserved on the night, but will take them all the same.

Polokwane City 3–3 Stellenbosch FC

If Tuesday had a match that matched Sundowns vs Galaxy for drama, it was this one — and it came in at all the right moments. Six goals, four different scorers on each side, and a fascinating subplot: Thabiso Lebitso, who moved from Pirates to Stellenbosch in this summer's transfer window, setting up the equaliser that denied his opponents a win.

Giovanni Philander, assisted by Bonginkosi Dlamini, gave Rise and Shine the lead on 16 minutes. Sinoxolo Kwayiba — another summer arrival at Stellenbosch, this one from Chippa — levelled on 22 minutes with a Siviwe Nkwali assist. Half-time: 1-1. Dlamini was withdrawn at the break with Polokwane introducing Tlou Nkwe, and the tactical shape shifted immediately in the second period.

Devin Titus put Stellenbosch ahead on 60 minutes, assisted by Terrence Mashego. Polokwane hit back through substitute Raymond Daniels — introduced at 65 minutes — who equalised on 67 with Surprise Manthosi providing the assist. Then Daniels himself made it 3-2 on 75 minutes, this time assisted by Tidimalo Molokwane. With Stellenbosch 3-2 down, substitute Raoul Daniels — a different Daniels, brought on in the 80th minute — levelled instantly on 81 with a Lebitso assist to make it 3-3. A point each in a match neither side deserved to lose.

Marumo Gallants 0–0 Kruger United

A match of significant tension, bookended by two defining moments that produced nothing. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo missed a penalty for Gallants in the 45th minute — the kind of chance that defines tight contests. Then, in the 90+4, Thendo Mukumela received a second yellow card and was dismissed — a needless red that leaves Gallants short for Matchday 3.

For Gallants, an xG of 1.34 to Kruger's 0.53 suggests they were the better side in terms of chance quality. The 14 shots to 11 tells a similar story of slight Gallants dominance. But Abram Mongoya's Kruger United, freshly promoted and without a league win so far, showed tremendous defensive discipline to keep a clean sheet. A point at Royal Bafokeng is exactly the kind of away result that keeps a newly promoted side's head above water. Gallants, meanwhile, will rue the missed penalty and the late red card ahead of a tough Matchday 3 schedule.

Chippa United 1–1 Richards Bay

Ntuthuko Mlotshwa — a summer signing from Lerumo Lions — gave the Chilli Boys a deserved half-time lead on 23 minutes, finishing a Justice Figuareido assist. Chippa's xG of 0.76 against Richards Bay's 0.19 suggests they were the better side across the 90 minutes, and the first half reflected that. Then, three minutes into the second period, substitute Mehluleli Ndelu — who had just come on at half-time — turned provider for Baggio Nashixwa, whose equaliser immediately levelled the match and changed its complexion.

For Brandon Truter's Chippa, this is a second consecutive draw after the goalless MD1 result against Golden Arrows. Two points from two matches is not a crisis, but Chippa's xG numbers suggest they should already have more. For Ronnie Gabriel's Richards Bay, a point away at Dobsonville, coming from behind, is a respectable return from a side finding its feet after a difficult start to the season.

Wednesday 12 August 2026

Kaizer Chiefs 2–0 Sekhukhune United

Fernando da Cruz's Kaizer Chiefs make it six points from six — a perfect start to the Betway Premiership campaign, and their first home match of the season delivered exactly what the Amakhosi faithful demanded. A goalless first half gave way to a controlled, disciplined second period in which Chiefs were always the more likely side to find the net.

Luke Baartman broke the deadlock on 63 minutes, converting a Dillan Solomons assist — then was immediately substituted at 65, with Mduduzi Shabalala entering as his replacement. It was Shabalala who added the second on 84 minutes, assisted by Siphesihle Ndlovu from a move that had Sekhukhune stretched and unable to recover. The low shot count — 8 to 3 — reflects the controlled, defensive shape both sides adopted rather than a lack of ambition. Chiefs had enough. Sekhukhune, who had won the same fixture in Matchday 1, could not replicate that performance at FNB. 6 points from 6 for Da Cruz — early days, but the direction is clear.

Milford FC 1–0 Siwelele FC

The xG reads 0.82 to 0.44 in Siwelele's favour. Fifteen shots to nine. Fifty-two percent possession. And yet it is Milford FC who walk away with three points from their first home match in the Betway Premiership — a result that is equal parts fairytale and a reminder that football is decided by what ends up in the net, not what the model says should.

Menzi Chili scored the only goal on 77 minutes — a moment that sent Richards Bay Sports Stadium into scenes that few who were present will forget quickly. A newly promoted club, at their home ground, winning their first top-flight match. Khanyisani Radebe, whose 90+6-minute playoff winner had originally sealed Milford's promotion, came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute but it was Chili who delivered. Then, on 89 minutes, Thabiso Sesane — who had picked up his first yellow on 53 minutes — received his second card and was dismissed. The red card ended any hope of a Siwelele equaliser. For Lehlohonolo Seema's side, a second defeat in two matches and another late red card to manage going forward. For Dr. Xanti Pupuma's Milford, three points that mean everything.

AmaZulu FC 1–1 Orlando Pirates

A familiar story for Orlando Pirates in the early weeks of the season: dominant possession, high shot volume, and a result that doesn't match the stats. Tshepang Moremi gave Pirates the lead after just 7 minutes — his second goal of the season, continuing the form he showed on Matchday 1. With 71% of the ball, 24 shots to AmaZulu's 5, and 40 box touches to 25, the champions looked set for a comfortable three points.

Then, deep into first-half injury time at 45+3, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya converted a penalty to level — the same player who had scored twice in the MTN8 quarter-final thriller against Sekhukhune just days earlier. AmaZulu held firm in a disciplined second-half defensive effort. Arthur Zwane's side had just 5 shots all match but used them efficiently. Pirates brought on Oswin Appollis at 64 minutes, Kabelo Kgositsile at the same time, then Boitumelo Radiopane at 77 — and still couldn't find the winner. A draw at Kings Park is not a disaster for Pirates, but dropped points against a side who had 29% possession is a concern that will not be dismissed lightly by Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Durban City 0–0 Golden Arrows

The most one-sided goalless draw of the matchday. Durban City had 19 shots, an xG of 1.15, 58% possession and 20 box touches — and could not convert any of it against a Golden Arrows side who defended with everything they had. Khalil Ben Youssef's side are now without a goal in two Premiership matches — a concern for a club who showed their quality in the Nedbank Cup just months ago.

Golden Arrows had just 8 shots and an xG of 0.35 — Pitso Dladla's side were not there to play attractive football at Chatsworth. They were there to frustrate, absorb, and leave with a point. That is exactly what they did. Four bookings across the match — Bandile Shandu and Gastón Sirino for Durban City early, Nhlanhla Zwane and substitute Seth Green for Arrows — reflected the competitive edge of a KwaZulu-Natal derby that ended up producing nothing. Durban City will need to find their cutting edge quickly, with the CAF Confederation Cup campaign looming.

2026/27 Table — After Matchday 2 (All Matches)

⚠ Mamelodi Sundowns (P1) and Marumo Gallants (P1) each have a game in hand — their postponed Matchday 1 fixture is rescheduled for 19 August 2026.