Cape Town City and Casric Stars are set to clash in their final PSL Playoff tournament match at DHL Stadium later today.
Both clubs have had their fates sealed, having been condemned to the Motsepe Foundation Championship after Orbit College secured a 1-0 victory over Cape Town City at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg last week, clinching their historic promotion.
Two Identical Struggles
Both Cape Town City and Casric Stars enter this final game with identical, disappointing playoff records. Each side has managed to collect just two points from their three playoff fixtures.
Their campaigns saw them both draw their initial encounters against Orbit College and each other (a 1-1 draw), before succumbing to 1-0 defeats against Orbit College in their second meetings.
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Defensively, both teams have conceded two goals in their three playoff games, while offensively, they have each only managed to score one goal, with both goals coming in their initial 1-1 draw. This shared struggle highlights the challenging nature of their playoff campaigns.
The 2024/25 Betway Premiership season proved to be a catastrophic one for Cape Town City. Finishing in a dismal 15th place in the South African topflight, they were thrust into the unenviable position of the post-season promotion/relegation playoffs.
Their subsequent relegation marks a significant blow for the club, especially as it’s the first time they’ve finished outside the top eight since their founding in 2016, following the acquisition of then Mpumalanga Black Aces.
The club’s struggles were compounded by considerable managerial instability. Long-serving head coach Eric Tinkler was dismissed in December after a poor start to the season. The club then turned to Muhsin Ertugral as both interim coach and Technical Director.
Ertugral’s tenure was brief, lasting only 14 games before he too was sacked in March with the team languishing in 13th place. This left First Team coach Diogo Peral and Roger de Sa to take the reins for the remainder of the tumultuous season.
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has openly admitted that spending a season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship is not in the best interest of the club. Reflecting on the season’s missteps, Comitis acknowledged that the decision to sign “big-name players who were not active at their clubs was clearly a mistake.”
Player Spotlight
Despite the overall disappointment for Casric Stars, all eyes will be on veteran striker Kermit Erasmus. The 34-year-old boasts extensive PSL experience, having previously played for top clubs like Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and even Cape Town City. Erasmus is expected to be the driving force for Casric Stars as they aim for a morale-boosting victory against his former club.
Erasmus has already proven crucial for the Mpumalanga-based team. Last season, he played a pivotal role in helping them finish third, with his dramatic added-time goal against Hungry Lions securing a vital win that ultimately eliminated Black Leopards from contention on the final day.
This performance secured Casric’s third-place finish and their second playoff appearance in three years. His experience, calm demeanor, and ability to capitalize on chances will make him the primary threat to Cape Town City’s defense.
How to watch
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00 on Monday, 30 June 2025 and will be carried live on the public broadcaster’s radio stations for commentary. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport channel 202 and SABC 2.
Furthermore, the fixture will also be live on streaming service Showmax and SABC plus.
Cape Town Stadium
The 55 000 seater stadium will host the clash between Cape Town City and Casric Stars. The Greenpoint based stadium was initially constructed to host matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has since become the dedicated home ground for the esteemed Western Province Rugby Union.
The stadium’s association with DHL is reflected in its official name and apart from hosting football and rugby matches, it has held music concerts and the sixth edition of Roger Federer’s Matches for Africa.
Betting odds (supplied by Hollywoodbets)
To win (90 min)
Cape Town City 19/20 | Draw 37/20 | Casric Stars 33/10
Cape Town City and Casric Stars have a very limited head-to-head history, having met only once before. Their previous encounter was their first playoff game, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium and I am backing the same score line here. Get in at 5/1!