Stellenbosch FC’s stuttering Betway Premiership campaign continued on Wednesday evening when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Polokwane City at the Athlone Stadium.

Stellies suffered an eighth defeat from 14 league matches this season, leaving them in 14th place on the log – only one point clear of the relegation playoff zone.

As for Rise and Shine, who won the clash thanks to goals from Lebohang Nkaki and Thabelo Tshikweta, this sixth win of the season drives them up to sixth place on the log.

Stellenbosch made the early running and had two close attempts from midfielder Mthetheleli Mthiyane inside the opening 11 minutes – the first was a glanced header just over the crossbar, and the second a shot from a free kick which forced a decent save from Polokwane goalkeeper Brian Bwire.

Polokwane gradually found their attacking rhythm and earned a penalty in the 38th minute, as Siyabonga Mashinini was clumsily tripped up by Athenkosi Mcaba. Lebohang Nkaki confidently converted from the spot to put the visitors ahead.

And things got even better for Rise and Shine, as they doubled their advantage on the cusp of halftime, with Thabelo Tshikweta arriving at the back post to head home an excellent cross from overlapping left-back Tlou Nkwe.

Stellies made a triple change at the start of the second half, sending on Langelihle Phili, Ashley Cupido and Thato Khiba in an effort to turn the game around.

Phili struck back for the hosts just before the hour mark, latching onto a loose ball after a corner kick and stabbing a shot through a crowd of bodies and into the back of the net for 2-1.

Yet that was as good as it got for Stellenbosch, with Polokwane able to hold off the home side’s attempts at a comeback through a combination of resilient defence, as well as canny time-wasting and momentum-breaking tactics.

The teams will only return to Betway Premiership action in the latter half of January 2026, with Stellenbosch visiting Sekhukhune United, and Polokwane away to Durban City.

Stellenbosch FC (0) 1 (Phili 59’)

Polokwane City (2) 2 (Nkaki 39’ pen, Tshikweta 45+1’)

Stellenbosch: Stephens, Godswill (Barns 62’), Mcaba, Nkwali, Manafov, Mthiyane, Lekoloane (Phili 46’), Palace (De Jong 62’), Titus, Mokobodi (Khiba 46’), Khanyi (Cupido 46’)

Polokwane: Bwire, Matuludi, Nikani, Nkaki, Nkwe, Kambala, Maphangule, Marema, Sebone (Ramabu 74’ [Mvundlela 89’]), Mashinini (Dlamini 70’), Tshikweta (Daniels 70’)