This year promises to be a massive football season in the PSL.
Clubs have been busy in the market to strengthen, deepen and add some excitement to their squads.
It’s a damn shame that there will only be one Cape club in the top-flight this term.
But Benni McCarthy and his manne believe they have what it takes to battle the big boys.
Here we look at their chances and the rest of the contenders and pretenders.
City
City will be hoping that a lack of experience in the squad doesn’t derail their chances of winning the PSL.
One man who will be hoping there is enough know-how to go around is Benni McCarthy, who is now in his sophomore year as coach after a rocky rookie year last time around.
And it will have to start with him, with the coach needing to get his tactics across, coming up with winning game plans and motivating his players - not trashing them on TV so often.
In the team, it’s in the backline where that experience will be most needed.
Aside from Taariq Fielies and Kwanda Mngonyama, back-up centrebacks Kouassi Kouadja and Keanu Cupido are wet behind the ears.
Watch out for: Gift Links
Mamelodi Sundowns
Any team that loses the likes of Percy Tau and Khama Billiat are going to feel their absence.
And while the Brazilians are still a solid outfit, they will be less fearsome down the flanks.
With Andile Jali and Sibusiso Vilakazi being more effective down the middle, coach Pitso Mosimane will rely on his South American connection of Gaston Sirino and new boy Jose Meza to strike fear in to the South African game.
The Venezualan looks really dangerous running at defenders and can score all types of goals, being two-footed.
He could be a real handful.
Watch out for: Jose Meza
Orlando Pirates
By the time last season ended Bucs were back to being a serious team from their 10th placed finish two seasons ago.
Coach Micho has sorted out their defence and they look are threat going forward.
But integrating the 10 new players will be a challenge.
If he can keep his core in form and consistently bring on effective subs, Pirates will be genuine contenders with his versatile and balanced squad.
New recruit Vincent Pule and young stars Lyle Foster and Thembinkosi Lorch will have big roles to play.
Watch out for: Vincent Pule
Kaizer Chiefs
Amakhosi will be hoping they can put the barren Steve Komphela era behind them.
While they weren’t a bad side under the philosophical coach, they were also not a great side.
Under new management in Giovanni Solinas, their fans will demand more.
Chiefs will have to become more dynamic a force under Solinas after Komphela’s side struggled to click going forward.
And with Khama Biliiat defecting from Sundowns to link up with Leonardo Castro, Amakhosi have two of the famous CBD trio that powered the Brazilians to glory.
If they want to repeat the trick in Soweto, youngsters like Ryan Moon and Wiseman Meyiwa will have to step to the fore.
Watch out for: Khama Billiat
Wits
Once again Wits have an experienced side with capable players, but can Gavin Hunt turn them into champions this time around?
After winning the title two seasons ago, the Clever Boys failed the test of defending their crown big time.
The team lost the hunger and they tumbled right down the table.
Maybe with the pressure off their shoulders now, they may be able to lift their game to new heights.
The Students will have to look at younger players to provide the cutting edge up front this term.
Phumlani Ntshangase showed what he is capable of already and fellow South Africa youth international Abednego Mosiatlaga can force older heads like Lehlohonolo Majoro and Bantu Mzwakali to be more consistent.
Watch out for: Phumlani Ntshangase
Maritzburg
Maritzburg stunned the PSL with a top-four finish last term and proved it was no fluke by reaching the Nedbank Cup final to boot.
Coach Fadlu Davids has great energy with his young squad and motivated them well to execute his clever tactics.
The question now is if the KwaZulu-Natal side can continue their upward climb in the league and disciplined performances.
In attacker Lebogang Maboe and midfielder dynamo Siphesihle Ndlovu, Davids has two of the country’s rising stars in his team and he will be hoping they kick on, while Deolin Mekoa also improves.
The boss also revitalised Siyanda Xulu after the talented centreback lost his way.
And if he can do that with older recruits like Nazeer Allie, Maritzburg can establish themselves as contenders again.
Watch out for: Lebogang Maboe.