The newcomers Siwelele FC will get their maiden campaign underway in Bloemfontein on Saturday night when they host Golden Arrows at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. The match in Rocklands is scheduled to kick off at 20:00.

Meanwhile, Bloemfontein’s other top-flight club, Marumo Gallants, will start their season on the road as they face Richards Bay FC in what promises to be a tricky opening fixture.

Marumo Gallants captain Edgar Manaka (right). Photo: Morgan Piek

Gallants are under the leadership of new coach Alexandre Lafitte, a 28-year-old from France who is coaching in the PSL for the first time.

While Gallants begin the season away from home, they’ll return to Bloemfontein next week for their first home game – a highly anticipated clash against Orlando Pirates, now coached by their former mentor Abdes Ouaddou. That match will take place at the Slaughterhouse (Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium).

After that, Gallants will hit the road again for back-to-back away games against AmaZulu and Stellenbosch FC. They’ll round off the month of August with a second home match, this time against Polokwane City.

New Marumo Gallants coach, Alexandre Laffite. Photo: Marumo Gallants

Following the FIFA international break for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Gallants will face Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs – both at home – before locking horns with “new” city rivals Siwelele FC on 28 September in what will be the first-ever Bloemfontein derby in the PSL era.

Although both teams will be sharing the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium this season, the September fixture is officially a Siwelele home game. The return derby will take place on 18 April 2026.

This Saturday’s clash between the Rich Boys and Gallants will be held at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, with kick-off at 13:00.

Marumo Gallants 2025/26 PSL Fixtures:

August 2025

•             09 Aug – Richards Bay FC vs Marumo Gallants – King Zwelithini Stadium

•             12 Aug – Marumo Gallants vs Orlando Pirates – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             20 Aug – AmaZulu FC vs Marumo Gallants – Princess Magogo Stadium

•             26 Aug – Stellenbosch FC vs Marumo Gallants – Danie Craven Stadium

•             31 Aug – Marumo Gallants vs Polokwane City – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

September 2025

•             17 Sep – Marumo Gallants vs Mamelodi Sundowns – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             20 Sep – Orbit College FC vs Marumo Gallants – Olympia Park Stadium

•             24 Sep – Marumo Gallants vs Kaizer Chiefs – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             28 Sep – Siwelele FC vs Marumo Gallants – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

October 2025

•             19 Oct – Marumo Gallants vs Chippa United – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             31 Oct – Golden Arrows vs Marumo Gallants – King Zwelithini Stadium

November 2025

•             05 Nov – Durban City FC vs Marumo Gallants – Chatsworth Stadium

•             22 Nov – Marumo Gallants vs Sekhukhune United – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             30 Nov – Marumo Gallants vs Magesi FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

December 2025

•             03 Dec – TS Galaxy FC vs Marumo Gallants – Mbombela Stadium

January 2026

•             24 Jan – Kaizer Chiefs vs Marumo Gallants – FNB Stadium

•             31 Jan – Marumo Gallants vs AmaZulu FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

February 2026

•             15 Feb – Orlando Pirates vs Marumo Gallants – Orlando Stadium

March 2026

•             01 Mar – Marumo Gallants vs Durban City FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             04 Mar – Chippa United vs Marumo Gallants – Buffalo City Stadium

•             15 Mar – Marumo Gallants vs Golden Arrows – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

April 2026

•             07 Apr – Magesi FC vs Marumo Gallants – Seshego Stadium

•             12 Apr – Marumo Gallants vs Orbit College FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             18 Apr – Marumo Gallants vs Siwelele FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             25 Apr – Sekhukhune United vs Marumo Gallants – New Peter Mokaba Stadium

May 2026

•             06 May – Marumo Gallants vs TS Galaxy FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             09 May – Marumo Gallants vs Richards Bay FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

•             23 May – Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch FC – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs