Sundowns has had a slow start to the season, losing two of their three MTN8 fixtures, while putting out unconvincing performances under the refreshed technical team led by coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Dladla, speaking exclusively with SABC Sport, believes nothing has changed in Chloorkop and they will still defend their league title under the new Betway sponsorship.

"Sundowns start slow, they're a slow team. For years they haven't won the MTN8 cup, and they won it two seasons ago. This season again, nothing has changed," said Dladla.

"For me, they always start slow, but once the [league] starts, they always hit the ground running. But even if they don't win anything this season, there's 15 teams in the league – guys, it's anybody's league who wants it more.

"And Sundowns have been consistent for the last 10 years, so you can never count them out. They are the reigning champions, and they hardly ever lose – they only lost once last season.

"People are already saying, 'Ah no, this is the beginning of them going down, I don't know. I'm yet to see if anyone wants to take that crown from their head.

"Someone needs to go out there and fight because Sundowns is not just going to sit there and let the other teams just take it, we all know the quality they have, we all know the caliber of the coaches they have, and it's still early – the league hasn't even started.

"So let's judge maybe halfway into the season, then you can come and ask what have they done."

READ: Brandon Truter talks up plans for Sundowns youngster

Fall of Wickets	Player	Score	Overs	Bowler	Out
4	Will Jacks	116	19.5	Sherfane Rutherford	LBW
3	Ben Duckett	85	12.5	Gudakesh Motie	Catch OUT
2	Zak Crawley	75	10.5	Gudakesh Motie	Clean Bowled
1	Phil Salt	50	5.5	Romario Shepherd	Clean Bowled

Finished England in West Indies ODI Series