Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates always carry expectations to challenge for the league title, but realistically, how far off are the two Soweto giants to ending Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance?
Chiefs' downward spiral has been well-documented, having placed 10th in the standings last season, their worst finish in the PSL era.
However, given the club's stature, they would still be expected to compete for the title, as that also is the hope of corporates in the PSL offices, as a title race without the most-supported side in South Africa affects the product, according to Cape Town City chairman John Comitis.
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But how realistic is the expectation for Chiefs to challenge for the league?
Statistics suggest it would be a big ask.
However, in South Africa, the traditional big teams start off every season on a clean slate. The Glamour Boys finished second in 2019/20, after they ended a disappointing ninth the season prior.
Comitis, who is also part of the PSL executive committee, has expressed concern that Chiefs and Pirates not challenging for the title affects the League's product and ultimately the so-called small clubs.
"If I'm standing at the executive level and I'm looking at the product, without being emotional about my own club, it's important that Chiefs and Pirates win this league soon. Because that's good for business. They've lost that dominance because of what Sundowns have done," he revealed, on Metro FM Sports.
"They have to do it themselves, no one is gonna do it for them. But for me, when Chiefs haven't been up there and above, we can feel the down as a club that's not Chiefs and Pirates. We need them to pick up and play great football and [one which] everybody wants to come and watch.
"And when you play Chiefs, you don't get 18 000, we get, like, 32 000, 34 000 [supporters] ... and also Pirates."
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Bucs finished as runners-up for the past two seasons. However, they could not compete for the title after ending 16 and 23 points, respectively, behind the champions.
What Sundowns seem to have got right, to pull clear of the two Soweto giants, is the quality of their signings.
Even though Masandawana are criticized for their big spending, Chiefs and Pirates do not seem to do enough to bring the players who can lift the quality of their squads.
Amakhosi, in the current transfer window, have not signed what could be viewed as a game-changing recruit, with a 33-year-old Gaston Sirino and defender Inacio Miguel seemingly the biggest hopes going into the new season.
Ezimnyama are pinning their hopes on Gilberto, with other signings flying under the radar, perhaps with the exception of Deano Van Rooyen.
For Chiefs and Pirates to compete with the Tshwane giants, improvements need to be made with the quality of players they sign and unfortunately, top quality players cost a lot of money.