The PSL’s Biggest Surprises of the Season so far

The September International break is currently underway, with Bafana Bafana looking to secure their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This gives us time to look back and reflect on the month-long PSL season. Before the league started, we ranked the fixture difficulty for each club, and the rankings suggested that TS Galaxy were handed the easiest, Sekhukhune had the 6th easiest start, and newcomers Durban City had a moderate run of games to start their season.

Sekhukhune United – Well-Rounded

Eric Tinkler’s Sekhukhune have finished the last two campaigns in 3rd place and currently lead the log table ahead of Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. They have scored the 2nd highest number of goals whilst also conceding the 2nd lowest number of goals – giving them the best goal difference in the division (+7).

They have played Orlando Pirates, Marumo Gallants, Orbit College, AmaZulu FC and Durban City. Their double-digit start is the best return after the opening five league games.

Their points tally has grown each season since they joined the PSL top-flight with 2025/26 seeing them take 13 points to top the log. They have set down a marker against the rest of the competition to go one better and finish inside the Top 3.

Season	Points (after 5 games)
2025/26	13
2024/25	10
2023/24	7
2022/23	5
2021/22	5

TS Galaxy – Attacking Force

Mathematically the Rockets were handed the easiest start of all teams in the division – fixtures against Durban City, Sekhukhune United, Chippa United, Siwelele FC and Orbit College included two newly promoted sides, and a team that finished 2nd from bottom in the top-flight. They have made the most of these fixtures taking 9 points out of a possible 15 and scoring the most goals of all teams in the league (9). Their first two fixtures left them goalless and 0 pointless before they put four goals past a struggling Chippa United – who have also made a coaching change with Luc Eymael replacing the outgoing Sinethemba Badela.

Adnan Beganovic and his team will be looking to replicate last season’s 5th place finish where they collected 35 points in a 28 game campaign. So far, 9 points after 5 games is their joint best start to a campaign (2022/23 – also 9 points), followed by 7 points in 2021/21 and 2023/24. The current projections based on match performance places them on path to finish inside the Top 3, while their expected points sees them on path to finish inside the Top 8.

Durban City FC – Finding their Feet (5, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3, 1, 8)

The promoted champions from the Motsepe Foundation Championship were handed a mid-level difficulty start with league games against TS Galaxy, Chippa Utd, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United. Under Gavin Hunt’s guidance the club started the season strong with wins against TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows. Their only loss of the campaign came in the recent game against Sekhukhune United.

Two wins and two draws with one loss places them 6th on the log with 8 points. Their defence has been solid with three goals conceded. Current projections based on points acquired would see them on path to finish inside the Top 8 and just outside the Top 3 of the league.

These three teams have been the biggest surprises of the league, outside of the Big 3. For Sekhukhune, they are reminding all that their 4th place finish last season was no fluke. TS Galaxy seem to be motoring on despite losing siome key players in the off-season. Durban City, under the tutelage of Gavin Hunt, have done far better than fellow newly promoted Orbit, and will have a Top8 place on their minds. Hopefully, these teams can keep up the momentum in the next chunk of games.