Dramatic PSL relegation fight looms as season nears conclusion

With only a few games remaining in the 2024/25 Premiership season, the relegation battle is entering a dramatic climax.

Several clubs are locked in a desperate fight to avoid the dreaded drop. 

While Royal AM’s expulsion has spared one team from automatic relegation, the playoff spot remains a looming threat.

One club is still set to defend their Premiership status against two ambitious sides from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Currently in the danger zone, Richards Bay are determined to climb out of trouble and retain their top-flight status. 

The Natal Rich Boyz, in 13th place and three points above the relegation zone, will tussle with TS Galaxy on Sunday in Mbombela at 3pm. 

Their recent performances hint at a fighting spirit, and with everything to play for, the club are expected to give it their all in the coming fixtures.

Jetting off to Cape Town for our upcoming #BetwayPrem clash.✈️🔥

⚽ Cape Town City vs Mamelodi Sundowns
📆 03 May
⏰ 20H00
🏟 DHL Cape Town Stadium
📺 SS 202#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/4ISkuvy07o

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 2, 2025

SuperSport United, three-time league champions, find themselves in unfamiliar territory and are battling to save their skin. 

Now occupying the playoff spot in 14th position, they face arguably the toughest run-in of all the struggling teams. 

Their remaining schedule includes high-stakes matches against sides dead set on their own ambition, starting with a tricky home fixture against Chippa United on Saturday. 

This is followed by an away trip to Stellenbosch FC, a side eyeing third place and potential continental competition.

SuperSport will also host Richards Bay in their final match, one that is predicted to decide the fates of both teams. 

Uncertainty still lingers around the outcome of their abandoned fixture against Golden Arrows, halted due to a floodlight failure in February. 

These hurdles make their escape bid especially challenging, with every point now critical to their survival hopes.

Meanwhile, Cape Town City – the club directly rooted to the bottom in 15th – are now praying for favours.

Their inconsistency and difficult schedule put them firmly in the relegation mix, particularly with the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns (on Saturday at 8pm in Cape Town), Polokwane City and Stellenbosch still to play. 

4 – Magesi FC have won their last four league games. Only Sundowns (10) & Orlando Pirates (7) have gone on longer winning runs in the league this season. Form. pic.twitter.com/ScsTV4o5kx

— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) April 21, 2025

Rookies Magesi FC, once considered favourites for relegation, have turned the tide and now sit in 11th with a possible top-eight sneak. 

Sitting five points clear of both City and Matsatsantsa, Magesi finds themselves in a strong position. 

Currently on a four-game winning streak, Dikwena Tsa Meetsea face daunting challenges against Sekhukhune United first on Saturday at 3pm, before finishing off the campaign with Sundowns and direct rivals Marumo Gallants.

However, they will be optimistic with two of their three matches at Seshego Stadium, where they remain unbeaten in the last five outings. 

As the season races toward its conclusion, tension is palpable across the bottom of the table. 

The fight for survival is not only about tactics and talent, but also about resilience and composure under pressure. 

With critical fixtures ahead, the Premiership is set for a thrilling finale – where triumph and heartbreak will be decided in equal measure.