The eagerly awaited PSL promotion/relegation play-offs are set to begin as Orbit College hosts Casric Stars at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday (3pm kick-off).
A coveted spot in the Betway Premiership will be at stake when both NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) teams rekindle their rivalry. Despite the extended delay before the mini-tournament gets underway, the intensity and significance remain undiminished.
Durban City secured promotion to the top flight, and although their celebrations were put on hold due to an ongoing investigation into the registration of former Marumo Gallants midfielder Saziso Magawana, they were on Tuesday officially crowned and began their top-flight journey.
In contrast, Cape Town City face the threat of relegation and will be the third side competing to retain their place in the Premiership after a disappointing campaign that left them 15th on the table.
🚨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃: 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐒𝐋 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 🚨 pic.twitter.com/CSKuFIPdtf
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 5, 2025
Standing in their way will be the MFC’s second-and -third-placed teams, who are eager to deepen their troubles. The first fixture carries significant weight not only for Casric and Orbit but also in shaping momentum for the remainder of the tournament.
The Mpumalanga-based outfit’s assistant coach, Thabo Nthethe, who has been part of the team since their first season in the first division, spoke enthusiastically ahead of their second shot at top-flight promotion in three seasons.
“I can confidently say that the players are ready,” Nthethe told Independent Newspapers.
He also commended the influence of head coach Bucs Mthombeni in preparing the team for the playoffs.
“The appointment of coach Mthombeni has been key. He is one coach who is able to motivate players because sometimes it’s not about getting players fit because they already have that, but it’s about giving them hope and keeping them motivated, and that is what he has been doing.
“The boys are happy, and they want to do well for the team. Each and every one of them knows that the team wants to get promoted into the Betway Premiership next season, and they are willing to do that.”
Heading into the match, the Rustenburg-based outfit may be at a slight disadvantage, having struggled in previous encounters against Casric. However, the former CAF Champions League winner with Mamelodi Sundowns believes past results will mean little this time around.
“This will be a totally different ball game,” Nthethe continued.
“It will be a tournament in which you will get a chance to play at home and away, but now each and every game you play is a must-win game, and it doesn’t matter how you play it.
“We overcame a couple of games against Orbit and secured a couple of wins and a draw. Casric knows how to play against a ball-playing team like Orbit, but I definitely feel it’s going to be different this time around,” he concluded.
