Orlando Pirates will have up to five games to play as their biggest rivals Kaizer Chiefs 'pay' for their failures from last season by waiting on the sidelines in two competitions.
Pirates' second place finish last season has been rewarded, while Chiefs have to suffer the consequences of their lowest ever finish in the league.
READ | Showboating: 'You can't entertain people if you are losing'
The Buccaneers open the new season via the MTN8 quarterfinals with a date against SuperSport United on Saturday (18h00) at Orlando Stadium.
Should they win against Matsatsantsa, then they will set up a two-legged semi-final tie to be played before the end of August.
The proposed dates for the first legs of the two semi-finals are Wednesday, August 21 and Saturday, August 24.
There is also an alternative date of Wednesday, August 28 for the first legs depending on what happens over the course of the month.
Then with the second legs, the plan is to have them played on Saturday, August 31 before the start of the FIFA international break the following Monday.
Besides the prospect of playing three games in the MTN8 this month, Pirates have another two-legged CAF Champions League first round commitment to fulfil against CS Disciples from Madagascar.
According to CAF, the matches against the club from the vast island country are scheduled for August 16-18 and August 23-25.
If they go through, the Soweto giants will then join Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round in September when they play either Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana or African Stars (Namibia).
READ: Mshishi reveals Mngqithi factor and retirement plans
Stellenbosch FC are the other club caught up in the same situation as Jose Riveiro's men as they will play in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup against Nsingizi Hotspurs from Eswatini.
Chiefs only get going on September 14 against Marumo Gallants at the Toyota Stadium.