The stadium had been temporarily shut down to allow for essential infrastructure and pitch upgrades to meet the required PSL standards, leaving local sides Siwelele FC and Marumo Gallants without a true home ground since the end of January.

For years the stadium has not even had an operational scoreboard or clock, which is certainly a requirement.

Keabetswe Khonyane and Jaisen Clifford during the first Bloemfontein derby. Photo: Morgan Piek

During that time, Gallants were forced to take their “home” games on the road, playing as far afield as Lucas Moripe Stadium - a move that didn’t sit well with their Free State supporters. Siwelele, meanwhile, hosted their few home fixtures at the Toyota Stadium.

Now, the beloved “Slaughterhouse” is ready to welcome fans again, and it does so in style with a double-header weekend that promises drama, urgency, and plenty of passion as the business end of the season approaches.

Saturday’s fixture sees Siwelele looking to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of 2026 - a narrow 1-0 loss to Chippa United in Gqeberha on Tuesday night. They face a stern test in AmaZulu, who currently sit fourth on the log. Usuthu arrive in Bloemfontein with their sights set on climbing even higher - a win could see them leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs into third place.

In Siwelele's previous game in Bloemfontein they beat Orbit College 1-0 at the Toyota Stadium. Photo: Morgan Piek

Siwelele, currently 10th, missed a golden opportunity to break back into the top eight with their midweek loss at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. However, back on home turf and with a passionate crowd behind them, they will fancy their chances. If this season has shown anything, it’s that the Bloemfontein faithful can be a powerful “12th man” - and that energy could prove decisive.

For Marumo Gallants, the picture is far more precarious. They remain locked in a relegation scrap and will face Orbit College FC on Sunday in a crucial game. Both teams are tied on 18 points after 23 matches, with Orbit currently sitting 15th and in the relegation zone as opposed to Marumo only by virtue of a inferior goal difference.

Pressure is mounting on Gallants following a heavy 3-0 defeat to bottom-placed Magesi FC earlier this week at the Seshego Stadium. It was the first match in charge for new head coach Jamil Benouahi, and Sunday’s clash will mark his first home game at the helm.

In Marumo's penulimate game at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium they lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in January. Photo: Morgan Piek

The equation is simple for Gallants: they need a win. Another defeat will see them slip into the relegation zone, swapping places with Orbit. Compounding their struggles has been a noticeable dip in home support this season, particularly since Siwelele’s arrival in Bloemfontein. Their performances - especially in 2026 - have also done very little to entice fans back through the turnstiles.

Looking ahead, there’s even more excitement on the horizon. Next weekend, Rocklands will host only the second-ever Bloemfontein derby, as Gallants take on Siwelele. The first meeting earlier this season saw Siwelele edge their neighbours 1-0 in a tightly contested affair.

This weekend’s action kicks off on Saturday at 15:00, when Siwelele take on AmaZulu. On Sunday, at 17:30, Marumo Gallants face Orbit College FC - both matches at the rejuvenated Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvdw