South Africa’s Best Soccer Teams of All Time

There’s a lot of talk about current form, transfer rumors, and matchday tactics. But if you’re serious about understanding South African football - whether it’s for casual debates or for more strategic reasons like finding value on the Betway APK - you’ve got to know the history. Because clubs come and go, but legacy? That sticks around in odds, form patterns, and public bias for years.

So here’s a breakdown of the top five South African football clubs of all time. Some are still on the pitch. Others are buried deep in the stats archives. But they’ve all shaped the game and, in one way or another, shaped how people bet on it too.

Kaizer Chiefs - Glamour with a side of chaos

Kaizer Chiefs aren’t just a football club. They’re a movement. A brand. A weekly test of patience.Founded in 1970, the Amakhosi built their name on silverware and style, collecting over 50 domestic titles and dominating headlines across decades. Even in seasons where the form dips (which lately feels like the norm), fans back them like it’s 2005 all over again. That loyalty shows in betting patterns too. Chiefs always draw action - and not always for the right reasons. Whether you’re backing them or fading them, you’ll want to check the odds twice.

Orlando Pirates - Older, tougher, and still unpredictable

Pirates were founded in 1937 and they still carry that no-nonsense energy into every Soweto Derby. They’ve got the history, the grit, and most importantly, that 1995 CAF Champions League title - the first for a South African club.

They’ve also got the kind of inconsistency that drives bettors nuts. One weekend they’re dismantling top teams. The next, they’re drawing at home to someone 14th on the log. But that’s Pirates. You don’t watch them expecting calm. You watch them because it’s always a story.

Mamelodi Sundowns - The team everyone’s trying to catch

If you’re betting on form, this is your team. Sundowns have turned dominance into routine. Multiple league titles, a 2016 CAF Champions League win, and a playing style that’s as efficient as it is ruthless.

They’re not just good - they’re reliable. Which, in betting terms, means they often come with short odds, but they also deliver. If you’re using the betway APK this season and looking for a safe pick, Sundowns are the closest thing South African football has to a sure thing.

Bidvest Wits - Gone but still respected

Bidvest Wits had one of the longest runs in South African football history before being controversially sold off in 2020. They didn’t have the flash of Chiefs or the continental success of Pirates, but they were steady. Professional. Solid.

They won the league in 2017 and were known for grooming talent and grinding out results. If you liked betting on draw-no-bet markets or taking the under in low-scoring affairs, Wits were your type of club. Quietly profitable. Gone too soon.

Moroka Swallows - From giants to ghosts and back again

Swallows are the definition of South African football’s rollercoaster. Founded in 1947, they were one of the big dogs for decades. Then came financial issues, relegation, and years of silence. But now? They’re back. Rebuilt. Rebranded. And hungry. They’re not title contenders yet, but they’re the kind of team that flies under the radar. And that’s where the value often hides - especially when bookmakers price them based on old assumptions instead of current form.

Betting smart in the local leagues

If you’re backing South African clubs during the offseason friendlies or PSL matches later in the year, history helps. Not because past glories win games, but because they shape public perception - and that shapes the odds.

Knowing who carries weight with fans, who tends to overperform or underdeliver, and which teams have a reputation that doesn’t match their recent numbers can help you spot value. It also stops you from making classic mistakes like backing big names out of habit.

So next time you open the betway APK, don’t just look at this week’s form. Ask what kind of legacy the club brings into the fixture. Because in South African football, history still plays a role in every result.