Cape Town - Bidvest Wits defender Thulani Hlatshwayo knows just how hard it will be for the club to defend their Premiership title this season.
The Clever Boys edged Mamelodi Sundowns to league glory by a mere three points last term.
Coach Gavin Hunt has been hard at work refining his side ahead of their new campaign, and Hlatshwayo, who dismissed reports linking him with a move to Orlando Pirates, says all the Premiership sides will be gunning for them from the first whistle this time around.
Before they can get their league season up and running though, Wits will be looking to defend their MTN8 title at home to Golden Arrows on Friday.
Speaking to the Citizen, the 27-year-old former Ajax Cape Town centre-back, said: "I think everyone out there will be coming for us guns blazing.
“We have to keep doing what we have done. I think because we won the MTN8 and the league they will be out for our heads. The first thing we must do on Friday is to start to defend the MTN8.”
Hlatshwayo added that he expects a tough test against the Clinton Larsen coached side.
“We know what to expect, we know what kind of team they are. They are unpredictable and everyone starts from zero (this season), including us," he added.
"We know they have a lot of speedy players and we have to be prepared for their counterattacks and make sure we use our strengths."
Only Buhle Mkhwanazi and Nazeer Allie will be missing for Wits as they continue to recover from long-term injuries.