Bucs at full gallop to fill fixtures

The PSL has confirmed the new dates for the fixtures that were postponed this week to accommodate the memorial services for the late former President Nelson Mandela – and Pirates were hardest hit.

Pirates will play newly crowned Telkom Knockout champions Platinum Stars on Monday and will be afforded just two days’ rest before playing the University of Pretoria on Thursday – and then taking on Golden Arrows next Sunday, the last day of Premiership matches this season.

The Buccaneers languish at the bottom of the log with seven points after five league encounters, largely due to their commitments in the Caf Champions League and domestic cup competitions.

The Kaizer Chiefs-AmaTuks fixture has also been crammed in on the same Monday. Chiefs trail log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by two points and a victory might see a change in standings if results go against Sundowns, who play cross-city rivals SuperSport United on the same day.

Mpumalanga Black Aces host Free State Stars at the Kanyamazane Stadium and Maritzburg United will play Bidvest Wits at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Monday.

The lack of availability of venues forced the PSL to move all the fixtures scheduled to be played this week. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said no matches will take place this Sunday when former President Mandela will be buried.

Full PSL fixtures

December 16:

• Platinum Stars vs Orlando Pirates (Royal Bafokeng Stadium) 15h30
• Golden Arrows vs AmaZulu (King Zwelithini Stadium) 15h30
• Black Aces vs Free State Stars (Kanyamazane Stadium) 15h30
• Kaizer Chiefs vs AmaTuks (FNB Stadium) 20h15
• Maritzburg United vs Bidvest Wits (Harry Gwala Stadium) 20h15
• SuperSport United vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Loftus Versfeld Stadium) 18h00

December 18:

• Moroka Swallows vs Polokwane City (Dobsonville Stadium) 19h30
• Ajax Cape Town vs Bloem Celtic (Cape Town Stadium) 19h30

December 19:

• Orlando Pirates vs University of Pretoria (Orlando Stadium) 19h00
• Mamelodi Sundowns vs Maritzburg Utd (Loftus Stadium) 19h00
• Golden Arrows vs Kaizer Chiefs (Moses Mabhida Stadium) 19h00

December 21:

• Free State Stars vs Moroka Swallows (Goble Park) 15h30
• Polokwane City vs SuperSport United (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium) 15h30
• Ajax Cape Town vs Platinum Stars (Cape Town Stadium) 20h15 Bidvest Wits vs Bloem Celtic (Bidvest Stadium) 20h15

December 22:

• University of Pretoria vs Black Aces (Tuks Stadium) 15h30
• Orlando Pirates vs Golden Arrows (Orlando Stadium) 15h30
• AmaZulu vs Kaizer Chiefs (Moses Mabhida Stadium)15h30