The newest club in the Betway Premiership could be confirmed on Saturday when Kruger United take on relegation-threatened Black Leopards in a Motsepe Foundation Championship clash.

A win would seal automatic promotion for Kruger United, who currently sit eight points clear at the top of the table with just three matches remaining.

Mathematically, only Milford FC and Hungry Lions can still catch them, with the two sides set to meet on the final day of the season. However, for either to overtake Kruger, they would need to win all of their remaining fixtures while Kruger pick up no more than a single point—an extremely unlikely scenario, especially given Kruger’s current form of five consecutive victories.

If promotion is confirmed, it would all but confirm relegation for former top-flight side Black Leopards, who would join fellow Limpopo outfit Baroka in dropping to the ABC Motsepe League.

It would mark a painful fall for both clubs, each of whom have enjoyed long spells in South Africa’s top division.

Leopards are currently six points from safety with three games left to play, and while survival is still mathematically possible, another defeat would leave them in serious trouble.

Once Kruger United’s promotion is confirmed, focus will shift to the two playoff spots for the teams finishing second and third. Those sides will then compete against the 15th-placed Betway Premiership team in a mini-league to decide who earns a place in the top flight next season.

At present, Milford FC (47 points, +13 goal difference) and Hungry Lions (47, +12) occupy those positions. However, they are closely followed by Casric Stars (46, +15), who still have two matches in hand from their 28 played, and Cape Town City (45, +15).

Cape Town City had been strong contenders for automatic promotion but have seen their hopes fade after taking just two points from their last three matches, dropping out of the title race.

With two home fixtures remaining against Gomora United and struggling Baroka, they will be aiming to secure at least a playoff place. They finish their campaign away to Leicesterford City on the final day.

Milford FC also have two home fixtures to navigate, against The Bees and the University of Pretoria, before a potentially decisive final-day clash with Hungry Lions in Upington.

Hungry Lions, meanwhile, face a local derby against Upington City this weekend, and also travel to Highbury.

With the remaining fixtures taken into account, Milford and Cape Town City appear best placed to emerge as the two sides likely to secure the playoff positions.