Polokwane City generated 28 dangerous attacks, 19 crosses, and 8 key passes, yet failed to put a single effort on frame despite winning 24 duels. To break the deadlock in the second half, the hosts need sharper finishing inside the box, while TS Galaxy must turn their 188 completed passes into genuine final-third penetration.

• Completed passes (accuracy): Polokwane City 127 (75%) – 213 (88%) TS Galaxy
• Duels won: Polokwane City 24 – 19 TS Galaxy
• Dangerous attacks: Polokwane City 28 – 8 TS Galaxy

Here is the confirmed TS Galaxy XI! The Rockets match up in a 3-5-2 system with Melusi Mathebula starting between the posts, a three-man defense anchored by Lennol Mathebula, Katekani Mhlongo, and Sifiso Ngobeni, and Victor Letsoalo partnering Anslin Williams in attack (with veteran defender Siyanda Xulu and goalkeeper Ira Tape among the substitutes):

Goalkeeper: 32. Melusi Mathebula
Defenders: 24. Lennol Mathebula, 25. Katekani Mhlongo, 33. Sifiso Ngobeni
Midfielders: 7. Seluleko Mahlambi, 4. McBeth Mahlangu, 14. Tshepo Kakora, 8. Mlungisi Mbunjana, 21. Junior Zindoga
Forwards: 11. Anslin Williams, 17. Victor Letsoalo

Substitutes: 16. Ira Tape, 2. Mpho Mvelase, 5. Igor Salatiel Silva, 6. Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi, 10. Siphesihle Tati, 13. Siyanda Xulu, 18. Mpho Welcome Maoke, 19. Sedwyn George, 28. Edson Khumalo.

Official team news is in from Old Peter Mokaba Stadium! Head coach Willy Moloto sets Polokwane City up in a compact 4-1-4-1 shape, with Oscarine Masuluke in goal, Manuel Kambala shielding the back four, and Msindisi Khosa leading the line:

Goalkeeper: 50. Oscarine Masuluke
Defenders: 42. Surprise Manthosi, 34. Lebohang Nkaki, 22. Edwin Ramaja, 3. Tlou Nkwe
Defensive Midfielder: 21. Manuel Kambala
Midfielders: 18. Giovanni Philander, 47. Monty Batlhabane, 28. Lucky Malatsi, 17. Bonginkosi Dlamini
Forward: 29. Msindisi Khosa

Substitutes: 48. Abram Mashele, 4. Bulelani Nikani, 6. Sapholwethu Kelepu, 14. Ndamulelo Maphangule, 16. Siyabonga Mashini, 27. Malebogo Modise, 36. Juan Mutudza, 40. Lindokuhle Mathebula, 44. Tidimalo Molokwane.

Recent history in this fixture leans decisively toward Polokwane City, who are unbeaten in their last five Premiership meetings against TS Galaxy (2 wins, 3 draws):

• April 8, 2026: TS Galaxy 1-2 Polokwane City
• November 29, 2025: Polokwane City 0-0 TS Galaxy
• February 5, 2025: TS Galaxy 0-0 Polokwane City
• December 1, 2024: Polokwane City 1-1 TS Galaxy
• May 25, 2024: Polokwane City 1-0 TS Galaxy

TS Galaxy's last victory over Rise and Shine came back on November 26, 2023 (3-0), and four of the past five clashes have produced two goals or fewer.

Only a single point separates these two sides in the middle-to-lower reaches of the Betway Premiership table entering Matchday 9:

Polokwane City: 10th place — 7 points from 8 matches (1W-4D-3L, -2 goal difference).
TS Galaxy: 13th place — 6 points from 8 matches (1W-3D-4L, -5 goal difference).

A home win would lift Rise and Shine onto 10 points alongside seventh-placed opposition, while three points on the road would vault the Rockets above Polokwane City to 9 points.