SATURDAY'S match-up between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final is the 153rd official meeting between the two sides, the 65th time they clash in a cup tie and a 33rd final between the two giants of South African football.
Cup finals between the two Soweto clubs used to be a regular occurrence but the weekend clash in Durban is only the fourth in the past decade.
In the early days of professional football in the country, Chiefs and Pirates dominated almost all the cup competitions and went head-to-head frequently for knockout titles.
Before South Africa's return to international football, there were four annual knockout events for clubs. But it is much tighter these days.
The first time the two met in a cup decider was in the first year of the National Professional Soccer League in the Life Challenge Cup of 1971, where Pirates goalie Patson Banda was the hero of the day but was beaten twice.
In the end the Buccaneers had to scramble a later equaliser to draw and take the tie to a replay that Chiefs won 2-1.
One of the best was a year later in the two legs of the Champion of Champions. The first leg at Curries Fountain in Durban ended 3-3 but the return at the Orlando Stadium six days later was even more dramatic as Chiefs came from two goals down at half time to win 7-3 after extra time.
In 1975's Life Challenge Cup final, a free-flowing approach had been replaced by a physical battle of attrition as Pirates won 2-1 thanks to Webster Lichaba's extra-time drive.
The next year Pirates were declared winners of the Champion of Champions trophy after Chiefs fans were responsible for the riot that caused the abandonment of the second leg. The club was fined R1 000 and forfeited the runners-up prize money.
The last final between the two was the MTN8 final in 2011 when Oupa Manyisa hit home the winner for Bucs.
Giants Chiefs and Pirates meet in 33rd final
SATURDAY'S match-up between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final is the 153rd official meeting between the two sides, the 65th time they clash in a cup tie and a 33rd final between the two giants of South African football.
Cup finals between the two Soweto clubs used to be a regular occurrence but the weekend clash in Durban is only the fourth in the past decade.
In the early days of professional football in the country, Chiefs and Pirates dominated almost all the cup competitions and went head-to-head frequently for knockout titles.
Before South Africa's return to international football, there were four annual knockout events for clubs. But it is much tighter these days.
The first time the two met in a cup decider was in the first year of the National Professional Soccer League in the Life Challenge Cup of 1971, where Pirates goalie Patson Banda was the hero of the day but was beaten twice.
In the end the Buccaneers had to scramble a later equaliser to draw and take the tie to a replay that Chiefs won 2-1.
One of the best was a year later in the two legs of the Champion of Champions. The first leg at Curries Fountain in Durban ended 3-3 but the return at the Orlando Stadium six days later was even more dramatic as Chiefs came from two goals down at half time to win 7-3 after extra time.
In 1975's Life Challenge Cup final, a free-flowing approach had been replaced by a physical battle of attrition as Pirates won 2-1 thanks to Webster Lichaba's extra-time drive.
The next year Pirates were declared winners of the Champion of Champions trophy after Chiefs fans were responsible for the riot that caused the abandonment of the second leg. The club was fined R1 000 and forfeited the runners-up prize money.
The last final between the two was the MTN8 final in 2011 when Oupa Manyisa hit home the winner for Bucs.
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