The football club Orlando Pirates ranks first in terms of followers across major social media platforms, surpassing their rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates has a total of 10.5 million followers: 5.3 million on Facebook, 2.1 million on X (formerly Twitter), 1.9 million on TikTok, and 1.2 million on Instagram.
Kaizer Chiefs hold the second position with 9.9 million followers. Their audience is distributed as follows: 5.6 million on Facebook, 3.1 million on X, and 1.2 million on Instagram; they do not have an account on TikTok.
Mamelodi Sundowns are in third place with 8 million followers. Their social media presence includes 3.6 million on Facebook, 1.2 million on X, 1.9 million on TikTok, and 1.3 million on Instagram.
The Buccaneers' dominance is attributed both to the team's impressive form in national football—they are the current league champions—and to the work of their marketing team, which, according to the author, has created the best graphic materials on social media.
Despite Amakhosi being considered the most supported club in the country, their struggles over the past 12 years are reflected in a noticeable decline in their social media popularity growth. Furthermore, they lack a TikTok account and dominate only on Facebook and X, while Sundowns lead them on Instagram.
The Brazilians are showing rapid growth on social media, approaching the levels of Pirates and Chiefs. This upward trend is largely linked to the club's successes at continental and international levels.
Football fans in most North American regions often mention Sundowns when discussing South African football, as the team has not only dominated in its region but also on the continent, holding the CAF Champions League title.
Sundowns also maintain competitive form in international football, reaching the Challenger Cup—the penultimate round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup—after winning the African-Asian-Pacific Cup a few weeks ago.