Venda FC

Thohoyandou sits in the Vhembe district, and so does Black Leopards, which makes the meetings between Venda FC and their neighbours the Vhembe Derby. The rivalry has outlasted the club's own name.

Businessman Robinson Ramaite bought the franchise rights from Cape Umoya United in 2021, rights that traced back further still to Platinum Stars. The side he built took the field that season as Venda Football Academy in the National First Division, and only in 2023 did it become Venda Football Club.

Home matches are watched from Thohoyandou Stadium, which holds 20,000. On the pitch the record so far is modest — mid-table finishes, no national title or cup to show for it yet. Head coach Joel Masutha has been charged with changing that, working with a squad that includes Isaac Masia and Edmon Chirambadare, while Kgothatso Mariba has featured on loan.

The club takes the field in red and white stripes at home, blue and white away, and still has no nickname that has stuck. What it has is the derby.