Kruger United secured promotion to the Betway Premiership with a commanding 3-1 victory over Black Leopards at Kanyamazane Stadium, sealing the Motsepe Foundation Championship title for the 2025/26 season. The result sparked wild celebrations in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, as the club completed its meteoric rise from nowhere to the top flight in just two seasons.
Formed in 2023 after local businessmen Bongani Wati and Basil Khoza acquired Caroline FC's status, Kruger United wasted no time making an impact. They dominated their ABC Motsepe League stream and powered through the national play-offs in 2024 to reach the professional ranks. Rather than settling for survival, they blended local talent with experienced Premiership players and went straight for the championship, defying expectations at every turn.
With the title decided, attention now turns to the fierce battle for second and third place, which grant entry into the promotion play-offs. Milford FC, Hungry Lions, Casric City, and Cape Town City remain locked in a high-stakes race with only two matchdays left to determine who will join Kruger United in the Betway Premiership. Kruger United now step into the top flight not as underdogs, but as champions with momentum on their side.