Godfrey Sapula on the fence about new Hollywoodbets Super League format

Sapula was speaking at the launch of the 2026 season here at the SABC earlier today, when the draw was conducted for the two streams of eight. 

This means teams from the Super Rise group will not meet any of the Super Era sides until the play-offs, and Sapula says this may be to the detriment of not only the growth of the game, but also Banyana Banyana. 

"Ja, I respect the decisions that came from their discussions, and we will do our best to use that format to prepare ourselves because, for us, it's not only about the league but also to prepare for the continent," said Sapula.

"But ja, we will see if the format is going to be helpful and useful for the development of the players because I really feel maybe more games gives a lot of benefit for all the teams to develop more players, and more players get more game time.

"But also thinking about Banyana Banyana, their reliance is on the Hollywoodbets Super League to give a product that can actually help the national team, but if the players are getting less game time, I'm not sure if that will be helpful to ensure a strong and competitive Banyana Banyana."

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The new innovation will definitely help teams that aren’t as well-resourced as Sundowns in terms of travel costs to different parts of the country. 

Sapula, who led the Tshwane side to a sixth successive title last year, says this shows the need to grow the sponsorship pool so that a lack of finances does not ultimately affect the quality of football and competition.  

"I understand the challenges that the League and other clubs [are faced with], so it means it's a cry for the women's game to get more sponsors," he added.

"If we can do that then it means we can be able to say, 'Let's focus on developing football when the admin and logistics are well taken care of."