Sundowns set for blockbuster friendly against Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig in South Africa

South African football fans are in for a rare spectacle later this year as Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to face German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in a major international friendly on home soil.

The highly anticipated match will see the Premier Soccer League champions host the European club at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Friday, 29 May 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00.

Even better for local supporters, the clash will be broadcast live on SABC’s S3, giving fans across the country free access to what promises to be one of the standout football events of the year.

A major moment for South African club football

International club friendlies featuring European teams rarely take place in South Africa, which makes this fixture particularly exciting for local fans.

Mamelodi Sundowns have long been regarded as one of Africa’s strongest and most technically gifted teams. Their trademark possession-based approach, often described by supporters as “shoe shine and piano”, has become part of the club’s identity.

Facing RB Leipzig offers the Brazilians a valuable opportunity to test themselves against one of Germany’s most competitive sides while showcasing the quality of South African football on a global stage.

Leipzig’s first tour to South Africa

The match forms part of RB Leipzig’s “RE KAOFELA” Tour, a phrase meaning “all together”. The club will be based in Johannesburg from 26 to 30 May as part of a visit aimed at connecting with African football supporters and expanding its global reach.

RB Leipzig General Manager Johann Plenge described South Africa as an exciting football destination where the passion for the sport is deeply rooted in everyday culture.

The German club has previously toured countries such as the United States and Brazil, but this will be their first official visit to South Africa.

Plenge said facing a club like Sundowns, which has earned strong international recognition in African football, makes the trip even more meaningful.

Lucas Moripe Stadium takes centre stage

The friendly will take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, a venue with deep ties to South African football history.

Beyond hosting major domestic matches over the years, the stadium also served as a training base for Germany’s national team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Its selection as the venue for this international friendly adds another chapter to its story, bringing European club football back to a stadium that has already played a role in global football history.

Free-to-air coverage for fans across the country

For supporters who cannot attend in person, the SABC’s live broadcast ensures the match will still be widely accessible.

SABC Head of Sport Keletso Totlhanyo says moments like this highlight the importance of free-to-air sport in connecting South Africans with the global game.

Broadcasting the match gives local audiences the opportunity to watch a top European side compete against the country’s league champions while celebrating the strength of the domestic game.

With Sundowns representing South African football and Leipzig bringing Bundesliga quality to Pretoria, the May showdown is shaping up to be a memorable night for fans across the country.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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