Premiership Wrap: Rockets surge into top 5 while Buccaneers miss chance to go clear

The Betway Premiership returned to action this week with significant shifts at both ends of the table.

While Chippa United celebrated a long-awaited breakthrough under new leadership, the title race tightened following a stalemate in Polokwane.

CHIPPA UNITED BREAK WINLESS STREAK

Vusumuzi Vilakazi finally secured his first victory in charge of Chippa United with a narrow 1-0 win over Orbit College at Olympia Park on Saturday.

Vilakazi had failed to win any of his opening five matches since replacing Luc Eymael in October. However, the Chilli Boys began 2026 on a high note thanks to Justice Figuareido, whose 60th-minute strike settled the contest in Rustenburg.

The Eastern Cape outfit entered the break following draws against Siwelele and Kaizer Chiefs. Conversely, the Mswenko Boyz continue to struggle, marking their fourth successive defeat—a run that leaves them 14th in the standings, just two points above the relegation zone.

STALEMATE AT PETER MOKABA STADIUM

Sekhukhune United maintained their unbeaten record against Orlando Pirates for the 2025/26 season following a 0-0 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Babina Noko, who defeated Pirates 1-0 in Orlando during the opening round, proved resilient once again to avoid defeat in the reverse fixture. While the point moves the Buccaneers level with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table, they missed an opportunity to pull ahead, despite holding a game in hand.

Sekhukhune remains in fourth place with 26 points, trailing Kaizer Chiefs by a single point, as they look to bounce back from Tuesday's loss to Stellenbosch.

HONOURS EVEN IN RICHARDS BAY

Siwelele FC played out a 1-1 draw against Richards Bay at the Umhlathuze Stadium on Friday night. The result moved Siwelele up to 10th in the league standings, trailing the ninth-placed Natal Rich Boys by one point.

Lehlohonolo Seema’s side will now shift their focus to the Nedbank Cup Round of 32, where they are set for a rematch against Richards Bay in the first week of February.

Meanwhile, Richards Bay remains four points adrift of eighth-placed Durban City. Co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane now turn their attention to the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows on January 30.

ROCKETS ROCKET INTO FIFTH

TS Galaxy enjoyed a clinical start to the year, defeating Marumo Gallants 2-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.

Impact substitutes Mory Keita and Victor Letsoalo provided the second-half goals to extend the Rockets' unbeaten run to four matches. The result lifts Adnan Beganovic’s side to fifth place, just three points shy of the CAF continental qualification spots.

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