Nail-bring end to this season of Premiership

The DStv Premiership, now in its 22nd season, reached its climax on Saturday when the spotlight fell on the second-place scramble and the relegation dogfight.

The champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, had already finished their campaign with a sixth consecutive title a few days earlier. They signed off the season with a bitter-sweet draw against Maritzburg United, and that spoilt the party for the Brazilians, who are now 13-time winners of SA's elite competition.

Saturday's matches, all played at the same time, made for a dramatic climax. Orlando Pirates stole the limelight with an overwhelming 4-0 win against AmaZulu.

With this win, the Sea Robbers nailed down the runners-up slot, and they will join Sundowns in next season's CAF Champions League. SuperSport United's final-day challenge fell as flat as a pancake after losing to Sekhukhune United.

SuperSport, however, ended in third place and will play in next season's Confederation Cup.

This outcome will prove morale-boosting for Sekhukhune United, who play Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final next week. The two teams again renew their rivalry at the start of the next season when they meet in the MTN8 opening round.

The fourth-place finish was claimed by 10-man Cape Town City, who for the first time in the PSL-era, completed a league double over rudderless Kaizer Chiefs. It will forever be disappointing that Chiefs ran up a record of 12 defeats this season.

Chiefs' fifth-place finish completes yet another trophyless term, and the drought now spans eight seasons.

The remaining Top 8 berths went to Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune and surprisingly Swallows, who for long spells this season were in the relegation zone. Swallows will start next season with a demanding fixture against Sundowns in the opening Top 8 round.

Down at the foot-end of the standings, there was no place to hide for Marumo Gallants, who won great praise for their terrific CAF Confederation Cup exploits after reaching the semis. Gallants lost 2-0 to Swallows and suffered automatic relegation. Play-off bound Maritzburg finished second last, after Chippa United salvaged a draw securing their Premiership status.