In one of the most eventful Betway Premiership transfer windows in memory, Mamelodi Sundowns made the biggest headlines once again even without a flurry of signings, while Orlando Pirates saw plenty of movement.
Sundowns signed midfielder Miguel Reisinho and attacking midfielder/winger Nuno Santos late in the window following the headline departure of Lucas Ribeiro Costa in a transfer that could have a ripple effect across the football world. Previously, they brought in attacking midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng on loan and left-back Fawaaz Basadien.
When the transfer window opened, Sundowns had only six days earlier concluded their FIFA Club World Cup campaign. The tournament brought in an estimated $12.5 million in revenue, but the club has also admitted that it generated significant interest in their players from other potential suitors.
In addition, it gave their rivals a headstart in terms of getting their transfer business done and preparing for the new season, while Sundowns had to focus on the fixtures in front of them and had limited time to transition from one campaign to the next.
One of their headline departures has been Sipho Mbule, who joined Orlando Pirates and is finding his feet. Among their wingers, Pirates lost Mohau Nkota to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq and have had to fight to keep hold of Relebohile Mofokeng.
Kaizer Chiefs signed Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane following their departures from Pirates, their fierce Soweto rivals. In addition, they secured the services of another ex-Pirates player in Siphesihle Ndlovu. Etiosa Ighodaro from Mamelodi Sundowns was another potentially important signing, as was Khanyisa Mayo on loan from CR Belouizdad.
There have been some key transfers outside the big three too. Ime Okon joined Hannover 96 following the end of his time at SuperSport United. The 21-year-old's contract is set to keep him tied to the second-tier German club until 2029.
Stellenbosch FC's Tylon Smith - the Player of the Tournament at the recent U20 Africa Cup of Nations - has officially joined Championship side Queens Park Rangers, joining fellow South African player Luke le Roux (Portsmouth) in signing for a Championship team.
Orlando Pirates
Sipho Mbule was the Buccaneers signing that has dominated headlines. Mbule was on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns for three years after his 2022 move from rivals SuperSport United.
However, he was loaned to Sekhukhune United in September 2024. For several years, his off-field behaviour has been subject to media criticism. However, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in South Africa.
Aged 27, he is a high-risk signing for Orlando Pirates - runners-up to Sundowns in the last three Premiership campaigns. However, if he plays to his potential - which he has done in his first few months at Pirates - he will be worth the reward.
After announcing the arrivals of new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and Mbule, Pirates also announced the signings of Yanela Mbuthuma and Nkosikhona Ndaba from Richards Bay, Masindi Nemtajela from Marumo Gallants, Tshepang Moremi from Amazulu, Sinoxolo Kwayiba from Chippa United, Sihle Nduli from Stellenbosch and Tshepo Mashiloane from Baroka.
Mashiloane subsequently joined Sekhukhune United on loan and Kabelo Kgositsile - another player linked with the Buccaneers for some time - remains at Baroka for now, but is expected to join Pirates next year.
More recently, Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis joined from Polokwane City and Kamogelo Sebelebele from TS Galaxy.
Both have settled in well and hit form, which was vital with Mohau Nkota having moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Pirates also had to fight to retain the services of Relebohile Mofokeng. As per an ESPN source, Mofokeng had agreed personal terms in principle with Minnesota United, but the club failed to agree a fee with Orlando Pirates for his services before the MLS transfer deadline.
The Buccaneers have also signed Abdoulaye Mariko from Mali's Djoliba AC and Lebone Seema from TS Galaxy. Seema has slotted into the centre-back position alongside Mbekezeli Mbokazi with remarkable ease, standing Pirates in good stead for a title challenge.
Zakhele Lepasa left the club and joined Siwelele as a free agent. Meanwhile, Monnapule Saleng has joined Orbit College on loan.
Miguel Timm, whose exit from Orlando Pirates had already been confirmed ahead of the transfer window, has now joined Sekhukhune United. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has left the club too, as has Azola Tshobeni. Tshobeni has joined Chippa United, with Ndlondlo having left for Marumo Gallants.
Nkosinathi Sibisi has officially taken over the club captaincy from Innocent Maela, whose departure was confirmed in May.
Mamelodi Sundowns
The Lucas Ribeiro Costa saga is the one that has dominated the headlines for Sundowns. After the club opted not to sell him, he forced a move to Spanish second-tier side CyD Leonesa, using the Lassana Diarra ruling to successfully argue that he should be given his transfer clearance.
The dispute between him and Sundowns is likely to drag on even with Ribeiro having already featured in LaLiga2.
"Following a decision by FIFA, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has received the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) allowing him to play in official competitions for his new club, Cultural Leonesa, with immediate effect," said a press release from Ribeiro's legal representatives, Dupont-Hissel.
"On 1 August, Lucas Ribeiro Costa terminated his contract with South African club Mamelodi Sundowns FC, based in particular on the recent Diarra ruling by the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union).
"On 31 August, Lucas Ribeiro Costa signed a new employment contract with Spanish club Cultural Leonesa.
"Mamelodi Sundowns FC and the South African Football Association opposed the issuance of the ITC through various manoeuvres.
"On 11 September, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Cultural Leonesa submitted a request to FIFA for the issuance of the ITC.
"In accordance with its new rules, which recognised the obligation to issue the ITC immediately as imposed by the CJEU in its Diarra ruling, FIFA has now issued the ITC, allowing Lucas Ribeiro Costa to play in official competitions for Cultural Leonesa.
"The merits of the dispute between Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Mamelodi Sundowns FC will now be heard and decided, in the first instance, by the FIFA Football Tribunal and, if necessary, on appeal, by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"These proceedings will be conducted in a calm manner and will in no way interfere with Lucas Ribeiro Costa's ability to practise his profession in Spain.
"It should be noted that these proceedings only concern Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Mamelodi Sundowns FC, but not his new club, Cultural Leonesa.
"According to standard practice, such proceedings are expected to last between one and two years."
Sundowns, for their part, insist that the player's interests were respected by the club.
The club's transfer window had begun more quietly with the signing of Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC, it could be argued that Sundowns have the three best left-backs in the league: Basadien, Aubrey Modiba and Divine Lunga. Basadien has often been deployed on the right.
Basadien hinted in a March interview with ESPN that he was ready for the next step in his career at one of South Africa's traditional 'Big Three' or overseas. Reports suggest that Sundowns had to beat Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to secure his services.
Fellow left-back Terrence Mashego joined Durban City FC subsequently.
Apart from Mashego and Mbule, Mamelodi Sundowns have also offloaded defender/midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee, centre-back Lucas Suárez, forward Lebohang Maboe (now at Kaizer Chiefs, along with Etiosa Ighodaro), goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala, forward Thabang Sibanyoni and left-back Sifiso Ngobeni, who has joined Cape Town City.
Additionally, Rushine de Reuck has joined Tanzania's Simba SC. Thembinkosi Lorch has joined Wydad Casablanca. Kobamelo Kodisang has moved to Portugal, joining top-flight side AVS on loan.
Khuliso Mudau and Peter Shalulile are among the others who faced uncertain futures at the club heading into the transfer window. Shalulile opted to stay and fight for his place upfront, while SABC Sport's Mazola Molefe reported that the club had blocked bids for Mudau, with the player's representative Steve Kapeluschnik attempting to secure improved terms.
With Mudau now back with the team, Sundowns have taken a major step towards returning to business as usual.
At Chloorkop, the normal order of the day naturally includes big-name signings. In the later stages of the window, Tsiki Ntsabeleng joined on loan from Dallas FC, with Nuno Santos in from Vitória Guimarães and Miguel Reisinho from Boavista. Sundowns' results remain inconsistent, but they are known to pick up pace in mid-season.
Al Ettifaq's Mohau Nkota speaks about his conversations with Georginio Wijnaldum about playing in Europe.
Kaizer Chiefs
For Kaizer Chiefs, this was of the transfer windows in which business went mostly according to plan - unlike in many others recently. The club remains in a difficult position after a mixed start to the season, but in terms of their playing contingent, they are better off than they were before the window started.
Recently, Amakhosi announced two major acquisitions upfront. Etiosa Ighodaro was signed from Mamelodi Sundowns and Khanyisa Mayo - son of Chiefs legend Patrick Mayo - has been brought in from CR Belouizdad on loan.
Meanwhile, Samkelo Zwane and Happy Mashiane have been loaned out to Siwelele FC.
Luke Baartman adds depth to Amakhosi's ranks upfront and is one to watch for the future after he and midfielder Asanele Velebayi were cleared to join from Cape Town Spurs after an initial dispute was settled through the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber.
Midfielder Ethan Chislett was signed from Port Vale. Portuguese striker Flávio da Silva has also joined from Persebaya Surabaya - a crucial signing as Amakhosi look to address their goalscoring issues.
Left-back Nkanyiso Shinga is also in from Alverca. Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane have left Orlando Pirates for their Soweto rivals too, with Siphesihle Ndlovu joining from SuperSport United - having previously donned the black and white of the Buccaneers. Chiefs have confirmed the release of Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edmilson Dove, Sabelo Radebe, Ranga Chivaviro and Tebogo Potsane.
Meanwhile, after initially looking set to stay put at the club, former Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart departed to Austria's SV Ried.
While player dealings went relatively smoothly, there is turbulence in the coaching department. After Nasreddine Nabi left his role as head coach - purportedly by mutual consent - the club has yet to announce a permanent successor. Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have been entrusted with the team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.