Six-time Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have embraced the league’s newly unveiled structure with optimism, viewing it as a progressive step toward strengthening women’s football in South Africa.
The bold revamp—announced by Hollywoodbets, SAFA and the SABC—introduces a 16-team format split into two streams, festival-style matchdays and a Championship Match to crown the season’s winner. While the changes signal a shift in how the competition will be played, they also reflect a growing investment in the women’s game, something Sundowns Ladies continue to champion.
Head coach Godwin Sapula struck a constructive and forward-looking tone, acknowledging both the opportunities and the importance of maintaining the game’s upward trajectory.
“I think what stands out first is the intention behind these changes. There is a real effort to address some of the challenges clubs have been facing, especially around logistics and travel, and at the same time to attract more sponsors into the women’s game. That is a positive step because it speaks to the growth and sustainability of the league. As a Club, we fully support initiatives that move the women’s game forward and this is clearly part of that journey.”
Importantly, Coach Sapula sees the new direction as an opportunity to further strengthen the link between club football and the national team.
“The Hollywoodbets Super League has played a crucial role in producing players for Banyana Banyana, and that responsibility does not change, even with the reduction in the number of games. If anything, with more visibility and better structures, we have an opportunity to enhance that pathway even further. The key will be ensuring that we continue to create an environment where players can grow, compete and be seen. These are healthy conversations for the game, and they show that we are all invested in finding the best way forward, not just for clubs, but for the future of South African women’s football as a whole.”
As the new era of the Hollywoodbets Super League takes shape, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continue to position themselves for success both on and off the pitch.
In line with their ambitions to remain at the summit of the game, the six-time champions have already bolstered their squad with the addition of Wendy Shongwe and Gugu Dhlamini ahead of the upcoming season, further underlining their intent to compete at the highest level and adapt seamlessly to the evolving demands of the competition.
