The Biggest Wins in SA football history

Which teams have enjoyed the biggest winning margins in the league?

After Orlando Pirates' 8-1 thrashing of Marumo Gallants on Wednesday afternoon, we look at previous matches that were won by a six-goal margin or more. 21 league matches in PSL history have been won by a 6+ margin or higher, with 4 games going up to a 7+ margin. Pirates' 8-1 Marumo was the 4th such games. Below is a brief history of these.

7-Goal Margins

• 8 August 2001: Manning Rangers 7-0 Hellenic

• 6 June 2004: SuperSport 8-1 Zulu Royals

• 14 October 2011: SuperSport United 7-0 Maritzburg United

• 24 December 2024: Orlando Pirates 8-1 Marumo Gallants

8 August 2001: Manning Rangers 7-0 Hellenic

• Referee: Petrus Mathabela

• Manning Rangers Coach: Clive Barker

• Hellenic Coach: Steve Haupt

• Manning Rangers scorers: Maluleke Ishmael (2), Radebe Mongezi, Ndwandwe Jabulani, Matombo Nkhiphitheni, Zwane Japhet, Mushangazhike Gilbert

6 June 2004: SuperSport 8-1 Zulu Royals

• Referee: Buyile Gqubule

• SuperSport Coach: Pitso Mosimane

• Thanda Royal Zulu Coach: Jacob Sakala

• SuperSport scorers: Katza Ricardo (2), Zwane Mandla, Johnson Grant, Matsau Daniel (2), Ferreira Richard

• Thanda Royal scorers: Mkhize Phumlani

14 October 2011: SuperSport United 7-0 Maritzburg United

• Referee: Charl Theron

• SuperSport Coach: Gavin Hunt

• Maritzburg Coach: Ian Palmer

• SuperSport scorers: Nyondo Atusaye, Own Goal, Langerman Tebogo (2), Maluleke Jabulani (2), Hartog Ashley

24 December 2024: Orlando Pirates 8-1 Marumo Gallants

• Referee: Phila Khumalo

• Pirates Coach: Jose Riveiro

• Marumo Coach: Sundra Govender/Duncan Lechesa (stand-ins)

• Pirates scorers: Own Goal, Thalente Mbatha (2), Tshegofatso Mabasa (3), Boitumelo Radiopane, Deano van Rooyen

• Marumo scorers: Gabadinho Mhango

6-Goal Margins (for Orlando Pirates)

• 12 April 2000: Orlando Pirates 6-0 Free State Stars

• 22 September 2004: Orlando Pirates 6-0 Ajax Cape Town

• 6 April 2024: Orlando Pirates 7-1 Golden Arrows

There are 17 occasions where a team has won by a 6-goal margin, but we’ll go into detail for Orlando Pirates. Pirates have won by a 6-goal margin on three separate occasions; with Sundowns the only other team to do so on more occasions.

12 April 2000: Orlando Pirates 6-0 Free State Stars

• Referee: Enoch Radebe

• Orlando Pirates Coach: Ronald Mkandawire

• Free State Stars Coach: Roy Barretto

• Pirates scorers: Lekoelea Steve (2), Lota Denis (2), Mngomeni Thabo (2), Hartley Junaid

22 September 2004: Orlando Pirates 6-0 Ajax Cape Town

• Referee: Daniel Bennet

• Orlando Pirates Coach: Kosta Papic

• Ajax Cape Town Coach: Gordon Igesund

• Pirates scorers: Vilakazi Benedict, Arendse Tyren, Manenzhe Phumudzo (2), Leremi Gift, Netshodwe Abednego

6 April 2024: Orlando Pirates 7-1 Golden Arrows

• Referee: Tshidiso Mkhwanazi

• Orlando Pirates Coach: Jose Riveiro

• Golden Arrows Coach: Steve Komphela

• Pirates scorers: Vilakazi Benedict, Arendse Tyren, Manenzhe Phumudzo (2), Leremi Gift, Netshodwe AbednegoMabasa Tshegofatso (3), Mofokeng Relebogile, Dlamini Kabelo, Mthethwa Sandile, Kimvuidi Karim

Other 6-Goal Margins

• 1996/97: Witbank Aces 1-7 Hellenic

• 1997/98: AmaZulu 0-6 African Wanderers

• 1998/99: Sundowns 7-1 Santos

• 1998/99: Sundowns 7-1 Vaal Professionals

• 1999/00: Hellenic 6-0 Classic

• 1999/00: Bloem Celtic 6-0 Mother City

• 2001/02: Black Leopards 7-1 Bush Bucks

• 2005/06: Supersport Utd 6-0 Bush Bucks

• 2008/09: Platinum Stars 0-6 Golden Arrows

• 2010/11: Bidvest Wits 6-0 Vasco da Gama

• 2012/13: AmaZulu 0-6 Kaizer Chiefs

• 2013/14: Sundowns 7-1 AmaZulu

• 2016/17: Sundowns 6-0 Orlando Pirates

• 2021/22: Sundowns 6-0 Golden Arrows

What about Chiefs 9-1 Manning Rangers?

Chiefs 9-1 Rangers was pre-PSL (just happened to be the same year, 1996). The league had a half-season in transition from a January - December season to a July-June (European) one. Chiefs’ 9-1 win came in the 1996 short/mini league (Chiefs ended up as champions). The PSL era started in 1996-1997 & Chiefs won 3-1 (A) & 3-2 (H) v Manning Rangers. (Rangers ended as champions, Chiefs 2nd).

What about pre-PSL era?

Football did not begin in 1996, but (free) records before the PSL era are scarce. However, these are some notable results from earlier years.

Overall biggest win in SA league football:

• Lusitano 13-0 Mangaung United (1978 NPSL)

Overall biggest win in SA football:

• Sundowns 24-0 Powerlines FC (Nedbank Cup in 2012)

• AmaZulu 16-0 Bizana Lucky Stars (Benson and Hedges Cup in 1976)

• AmaZulu 16-0 Ford Pirates (Mainstay Cup in 1986)

• Golden Arrows 14-0 Richmond Junior Aces (Mainstay Cup in 1977)

• AmaZulu 14-0 Young Ones (Nedbank Cup in 2008)