We are now approaching the halfway point in the Betway Premiership transfer window (July 1 - September 22).
Mamelodi Sundowns secured a major signing in Bafana Bafana starting left-back Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC, while Orlando Pirates have been dominating the off-season headlines.
The Buccaneers have made the biggest movements in the transfer window so far, signing Sipho Mbule from Mamelodi Sundowns among several other players.
Sundowns, who have recently concluded their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, opted not to shake things up too much ahead of the tournament, but now that they are back in training, the revolving door is in action again. More at Chloorkop in the near future is to be expected in head coach Miguel Cardoso's first full South African winter in charge.
The January 2025 transfer window - Cardoso's first at the club - may have provided some clues regarding what Sundowns' strategy is likely to be, but the off-season allows time for more methodical planning.
Kaizer Chiefs have signed Paseka Mako and Thabiso Monyane from Orlando Pirates. In addition, have secured the services of another ex-Pirates player in Siphesihle Ndlovu, in addition to Ethan Chislett, Flávio Silva and Nkanyiso Shinga. As usual, they find themselves linked with several other players.
Outside of the big three, one of the biggest confirmed transfers of the window has seen centre-back Ime Okon join Hannover 96 following the end of his time at SuperSport United. The 21-year-old's contract with the club 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.
Fixtures for the new season are yet to be confirmed, but it is set to start in the second weekend of August. It is likely that after one of the most dramatic seasons to date, which saw Royal AM expelled from the league and Cape Town City relegated, there will be plenty of change in the Betway Premiership in more ways than one.
Orlando Pirates: Transfers & key rumours
Sipho Mbule has been the signing that has dominated headlines in the off-season to date. 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, 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. 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.
In terms of key departures, Mohau Nkota has officially joined Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq. Ettifaq is the club which Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard recently coached, leaving in January.
Elsewhere, Monnapule Saleng has joined Orbit College on loan, while the departure of striker Zakhele Lepasa has been confirmed.
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. The latter has joined Chippa United, with the former also having been linked with them by FARPost.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Transfers & key rumours
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 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.
When one considers that Thapelo Morena is also capable of playing left-back and the club still has Terrence Mashego on its books, the picture becomes even more terrifying for Sundowns' rivals. However, widespread reports indicate Mashego is unlikely to remain with the club.
Soccer Laduma floated one possibility before the Basadien transfer from Stellenbosch - namely Mashego going in the opposite direction. However, that has not yet been confirmed.
Apart from Mbule, Mamelodi Sundowns have also released defender/midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee, centre-back Lucas Suárez, forward Lebohang Maboe, goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala, forward Thabang Sibanyoni and left-back Sifiso Ngobeni.
Several players on Sundowns' books are seeing their contracts expire - among them Khuliso Mudau and Peter Shalulile, whose positions with the club are unclear. Reports suggested that Shalulile could be on his way out, but the club posted him on Instagram in their photos following their return to training.
Reports suggest that Lebo Mothiba's will be renewed. Sundowns have also been working to tie down teenage starlet Siyabonga Mabena to a long-term deal, with his new representatives at Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) happy to let him continue his development at the club.
iDiski Times report City have offered Emile Witbooi, Shakeel April, Jaedin Rhodes and Jody Ah Shene to Mamelodi Sundowns and valued them at R60 million.
RNSI's position on Witbooi is that while Sundowns is a move they would consider if there were serious interest, their ultimate goal is to move the former Chelsea trialist to Europe as soon as possible.
The futures of Thembinkosi Lorch and Kobamelo Kodisang are seemingly yet to be decided, but the latter has reportedly attracted interest from Portugal.
Kaizer Chiefs: Transfers & key rumours
Midfielder Ethan Chislett has been signed from Port Vale. Portuguese striker Flávio 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. Another name linked with Amakhosi has been Etiosa Ighodaro, but his situation at Mamelodi Sundowns is uncertain and they may still attempt to keep him on board, while the striker may also look at options abroad.
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 and Ranga Chivaviro.
Meanwhile, after initially looking set to stay put at the club, former Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has departed to Austria's SV Ried.
Other Betway Premiership transfer rumours
Two Orlando Pirates wingers in very different situations are at the heart of much of the transfer speculation. Relebohile Mofokeng - a 20-year-old rising star who was linked with Barcelona last season - continues to have his name mentioned in connection to clubs across Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi is another player who has been linked with a move to Ahly by Soccer Laduma. However, Europe is reportedly another potential destination for the 19-year-old defender.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the golden boot winner in the 2024-25 season, continues to be widely linked with a move away from Mamelodi Sundowns to Europe. The Brazilian winger had an impressive FIFA Club World Cup campaign, which is likely to have boosted his stock. Ribeiro has already played for Valenciennes in France and several clubs in Belgium.
Pirates already signed another fullback from Stellenbosch - Deano van Rooyen - last year. With Nduli also now a Buccaneer, Pirates trend of recruiting heavily from the Cape Winelands club continues. Notably, they also brought the highly-regarded Ruan Rust in as head of football performance in November - a move which suggests the influx of talent from Stellies is unlikely to abate.
Winger Keletso Makgalwa has been in superb form for Sekhukhune United and has been linked with some of Africa's biggest clubs, ranging from Kaizer Chiefs to Tunisia's Espérance.
Outgoing Stellenbosch defender Ismaël Olivier Touré has joined United Arab Emirates side FC Baniyas. However, they signed Siviwe Nkwali from Cape Town Spurs to ensure they were not left short of cover.
Speaking of Cape Town Spurs - they are at the centre of one of the more bizarre transfer stories. Kaizer Chiefs have tried to sign Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman following Spurs' relegation to the third-tier ABC Motsepe League, but Spurs claim that the players are still theirs.
A notable name among the free agents worth watching is Percy Tau, who has indicated in an interview with Robert Marawa that despite his history with and affinity for Mamelodi Sundowns, he is open to anyone who makes a suitable offer.