Mamelodi Sundowns will make their best ever start to a Premier Soccer League season if they beat Richards Bay in their next DStv Premiership clash on Wednesday.

The Brazilians have never won their opening five games of the league season and only once before have taken 12 points from 12 at the start of a campaign, though they failed to go on and win the league on that occasion.

Victories this term over Sekhukhune United (2-1), Kaizer Chiefs (2-1), Lamontville Golden Arrows (4-0) and Chippa United (2-0) have got coach Rulani Mokwena’s side off to a flier and already looking far too strong for the chasing pack in the DStv Premiership.

For instance, they have opened up an 11-point lead over Chiefs, albeit that they have played a game more, and an eight-point advantage on Orlando Pirates with the same caveat attached.

The only other time in PSL history that Sundowns won their opening four games was in the 2010/11 season under Spanish coach Antonio Lopez, before the lost their fifth game 2-1 to eventual champions Pirates.

They did in fact win nine of their first 11 league games (L2) that term for an impressive 27 out of a possible 33 points but ended up finishing in fourth as managed only another 31 from the next 19 matches.

Pirates won the league title, pipping Ajax Cape Town on goal-difference on the final day.

It seems unlikely Sundowns will fail this time round, even at this early stage, as the current team is made of sterner stuff and the incredible depth they have in their squad makes it much easier to cover for injuries.

There have been eight occasions where Sundowns claimed 10 points (W3 D1) from their first four games of the season, and last year they won the DStv Premiership by a joint record 16 points despite taking only seven from their first four games.

Saturday’s win over Chippa United also extends Mokwena’s unbeaten run in the league since he became sole head coach. That now stretches to 24 games (W18 D6) dating back to October last year.

POINTS FROM SUNDOWNS’ FIRST FOUR GAMES OF THE PSL SEASON

2023/24: 12 points

2022/23: 7 points

2021/22: 10 points

2020/21: 10 points

2019/20: 8 points

2018/19: 7 points

2017/18: 9 points

2016/17: 7 points

2015/16: 4 points

2014/15: 4 points

2013/14: 8 points

2012/13: 3 points

2011/12: 10 points

2010/11: 12 points

2009/10: 5 points

2008/09: 7 points

2007/08: 5 points

2006/07: 7 points

2005/06: 10 points

2004/05: 7 points

2003/04: 2 points

2002/03: 10 points

2001/02: 3 points

2000/01: 10 points

1999/00: 10 points

1998/99: 7 points

1997/98: 10 points

1996/97: 4 points