The Big 6ix on new Premier League season and their SA adventure

The English football season is in full swing, and Showmax Premier League has mouthwatering content for you after an action-packed opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Big 6ix, the acclaimed UK-based football podcast, recently brought its prominent voices to South African shores for an electrifying collaboration with SuperSport. 

The acclaimed UK-based football podcast The Big 6IX

During their visit to Johannesburg, the lively crew spent a day at the state-of-the-art SuperSport studios, filming a series of highly anticipated SuperSport Unplugged episodes just ahead of the thrilling new Premier League season. 

These engaging discussions, featuring football commentary heavyweights like Saeed (Saeedtv), Turkish (AFTV), Matisse (Premier League, BBC 5Live, TalkSPORT), Grizz Khan (Khanage), Toby, and Big Steve (Ladbible, Premier League, Talksport), are now available for streaming on SuperSport’s YouTube channel and Showmax Premier League. 

Showmax Premier League caught up with The Big 6IX team during their visit, where they  shared their predictions for the new season and also gave their verdict on their South Africa trip. 

Tobs's Spurs expectations and South Africa trip

Tobs, a passionate Spurs fan, recently shared his expectations for the team's upcoming season and reflected on the Big 6IX trip to South Africa.

Passionate Spurs fan Tobs from The Big 6IX

Season expectations: Tottenham Hotspur

"There are a couple of expectations that I've blended into an overall objective. First and foremost, we need to improve our league position. We need to aim to get back into the top six. I also think we need to aim to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League at the very least. We need to try and go as far as possible in other cup competitions. We're not going to win the Premier League, and probably not the Champions League, but we do have the opportunity to win the League Cup, the FA Cup, and the Super Cup. Those are my expectations heading into the season."

South Africa trip review

"The visit to South Africa was sensational. The food was amazing, the people were so welcoming, and the vibe was just high, which is funny considering it was their winter. Good vibes, good energy, every picture was picturesque, and it was brilliant to go to SuperSport and check out the studios. All in all, South Africa is right up there; it's outright the best trip we've ever been on. The accommodation was amazing, and going to see Kruger was brilliant. We all want to go back to South Africa, and that tells you everything you need to know."

Turkish's Arsenal expectations and South Africa trip

Turkish, a die-hard Arsenal supporter, recently shared his candid thoughts on the Gunners' title aspirations, their transfer window, and his unforgettable trip to South Africa.

Die-hard Arsenal supporter Turkish from The Big 6IX

Season expectations: Arsenal

"As it stands, with our current transfer window, winning the league is further away than it was two years ago. We are under the most pressure to win it, considering the long wait, finishing second three years in a row, and the lack of any trophies in the last five years. Liverpool and City are still favourites, but Arsenal MUST win it. While Martin Zubimendi is a top-quality signing, with Thomas Partey now leaving, it doesn't feel like we've improved the position. Zubimendi will need time to settle, something Partey could have helped with."

South Africa adventure

"South Africa was amazing; it's rare I don't want to leave a holiday, and this was one of those. Johannesburg was active, and everyone was so welcoming, from locals to staff, SuperSport, and more. No doubt I will be back. The weather in winter was reminiscent of English summers, and the food everywhere we went was top-notch. Kruger was beautiful, a bucket-list experience. I can't do a regular zoo after witnessing the genuine habitat of all the animals present. I need to take little man (Zekai, my son) to experience it again with family."

Saeed's Manchester United expectations and South Africa trip

Saeed, a loyal Manchester United fan, recently shared his hopes for the upcoming season and reflected on his "amazing" visit to South Africa.

Loyal Manchester fan Saeed from The Big Six

Season expectations: Manchester United

"My expectations are to finish top six and have a real identity in terms of style of play. We also need to be consistent at home!"

South Africa visit

"My visit to South Africa was amazing. Honestly, it was so refreshing to see a different side of the world full of love and energy. The people were very kind to us, and we felt welcomed, especially at SuperSport and the Back Your Chat gathering."

Matisse Armani's Chelsea expectations and South Africa trip

Matisse Armani, a devoted Chelsea fan, recently shared his insights on the upcoming season's challenges and recounted his "best trip ever" to South Africa.

Devoted Chelsea fan Matisse from The Big 6IX

Season expectations: Chelsea

"Chelsea next season, they definitely have to be mindful of the fact that competing for a Champions League spot while playing two games a week is significantly more difficult than what they did last season in the Conference League," Matisse explained. "They made tons of changes for the Conference League because the teams were easier to handle. That's why transfer business is so critical; depth needs to be a significant improvement to what they currently have. There's a learning curve for this team; [Enzo] Maresca's first Champions League season will be a challenge as well."

South Africa trip

"I would say it was the best trip of my life. Since I've gotten back, it's one of those trips you don't stop thinking about. I had a bucket list before I left, and everything got ticked off and more. From going on SuperSport, making our debut there on African TV's biggest sports network, to creating content, to having Back Your Chat and seeing all your supporters and how they turned out - the biggest turnout we've ever had. It was unbelievable. Obviously the safari and all other activities, seeing animals that up close, felt insane and surreal. You're used to seeing it in documentaries, but seeing it for real, living out of your body, was an unbelievable trip. People said it would be, and it was. Now Cape Town, that's what they're asking for, so I'm looking forward to that."

Big Steve's Manchester City expectations and South Africa trip

Big Steve, a passionate Manchester City fan, recently discussed his title expectations for the upcoming season and raved about his "fantastic" visit to South Africa.

Passionate Man City fan Big Steeve from The Big 6IX

Season expectations: Manchester City

"The signings that Pep Guardiola has made in pre-season put us in good stead for the title. I don't think Pep will want to finish trophyless again. I think the fans are demanding we challenge for the title. It was very unusual to not be involved in a title challenge this past season after having won four in a row. Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri are big options. And the return of Rodri was a massive miss last season. If we get Rodri in midfield up to standard, I feel like this could be another good season for Manchester City, and I personally am expecting Man City to challenge for the title."

South Africa trip

"South Africa, what a place! Absolutely fantastic. To be on SuperSport in Johannesburg and getting to experience the studio and stuff like that, to doing Back Your Chat live in Johannesburg, seeing how many fans turned up, what we mean to the movement there is surreal. Walking around the shopping malls and people recognising The Big 6IX is unbelievable. It's been brilliant. Then we went up to Kruger National Park, and the whole experience there was fantastic - the safari, the wildlife, the hospitality, everything was unreal. Even the place we stayed was out of this world. Right on a beautiful lake, having breakfast by the lake, the whole experience of SA was totally different to what I thought it would be like, definitely one of the best trips I've been on, and we just can't wait to be back. So yes, SuperSport, we want to come back, let's sort it out, we miss you."

Grizz Khan's Liverpool expectations and South Africa Trip

Grizz Khan, a dedicated Liverpool supporter, recently shared his strong belief in the Reds' title chances and described his "stunning, immaculate, beautiful" trip to South Africa.

Dedicated Liverpool supporter Grizz from The Big 6IX

Season expectations: Liverpool

"I firmly believe that LFC can win it again. I believe that we will start the season off as favourites, and with the label of favourites comes pressure. There will be added pressure, but we will take it, accept it. There's huge pressure on Arne Slot, whether it was a fluke - I don't know how people call it a fluke. We will have pressure, tagged as favourites, and we'll see how it goes. Business so far has been beyond amazing. LFC is usually very slow and methodical and risk-averse. We've targeted players we needed and went out and got them."

South Africa trip

"The trip to South Africa was stunning, immaculate, beautiful. It was so, so humbling - the reception, the love, the country in itself, the weather, climate, food, I could carry on. SA was a vibe, Johannesburg was a vibe, and I would absolutely love to come back again."