Tana Malinga

South African women’s football is entering a bold new chapter after the official announcement of a revamped Hollywoodbets Super League structure aimed at taking the local game to greater heights.

In a major shake-up designed to improve competitiveness, fan experience and long-term sustainability, South African Football Association, Hollywoodbets and the South African Broadcasting Corporation confirmed that the league will now move away from its traditional 16-team national format into two streams consisting of eight clubs each.

The new format is expected to inject fresh intensity into the women’s game, with more high-pressure clashes, reduced travelling costs for clubs and stronger match-day atmospheres across the country. Football supporters can also look forward to a blockbuster Championship Match that promises to become one of the standout occasions on the South African football calendar.

Beyond the action on the pitch, the revamped structure signals a serious push towards professionalism in women’s football. League organisers believe the changes will strengthen commercial growth, improve broadcasting quality and create a more sustainable future for clubs and players alike.

Fans can expect festival-style football weekends, enhanced television coverage on the SABC platforms, stronger radio promotion and improved streaming access through the league’s refreshed digital platforms. The aim is simple, bring the women’s game closer to the people while giving players the spotlight they deserve.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao believes the changes will elevate both the fan experience and the level of competition in the league, while also attracting greater commercial interest and sponsorship opportunities for the women’s game.

Hollywoodbets spokesperson Vuyisile Ngobese reaffirmed the company’s commitment to growing women’s football, saying the new structure creates a stronger platform for clubs, players and supporters throughout South Africa.
Meanwhile, Keletso Totlhanyo stressed the importance of giving women’s sport the visibility, respect and long-term support it deserves through accessible national broadcasting.

With promotion and relegation expected to be introduced from 2027 as part of a future two-division structure, the message is clear, women’s football in South Africa is no longer just growing, it is evolving into a powerful force within the country’s sporting landscape.