Final between Stellenbosch and Galaxy a special occasion

Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens is relishing a "special occasion" as he looks to make history against TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Maroons reached their maiden cup final at the third time of asking this year after being knocked out in the semifinals of both the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup and this season's MTN 8.

Steve Barker's side beat Chippa United (2-1), Polokwane City (2-0) and Richards Bay (3-0) to book a historic date with Galaxy in Durban, which sees the two clubs vying to lift the trophy for the first time.

Stellies are eyeing their first piece of silverware since being founded in 2016 and Stephens insists winning the League Cup can be a career-defining moment for many of them.

"Just to take the pressure away from us we can say this is just another game but in reality, this isn't just another game," said the 32-year-old, who was part of the team that won promotion to the DStv Premiership in 2019.

"If you look at our squad and where each player comes from, there's a special story that each player has and I just think that this final itself can change a lot of lives in our team... to put a lot of players on the map.

"This is a game that we are writing history [with] this weekend. It is a special occasion... being one of the players who've been here from the start of the PSL journey, it's a special, special moment.

"Obviously with all the pressure and everything, we are firstly enjoying the moment."

The Rockets have already etched their name into the history books after becoming the first club to win the Nedbank Cup while campaigning in the National First Division when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the 2019 final.

Not many would have given Sead Ramovic's side a chance even after they eliminated favourites Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties in the opening round, but Galaxy have continued to dig deep to keep their Carling Knockout dream alive.

The Mpumalanga outfit also sent Sekhukhune United packing via the shootout lottery before claiming a hard-fought 3-2 victory over AmaZulu in the last four.

Samir Nurkovic has made quite the impact for Galaxy following his arrival at the Mbombela Stadium in September, bagging the winner against Usuthu, while also scoring two worldies in the DStv Premiership.

The Serbian striker is hoping to get his hands on some silverware for the first time in his career, but isn't about to get carried away with the expectations.

"I never achieved something like that [but] I'm not trying to put myself under that pressure to think I have to win some trophy or we need to do something," Nurkovic said.

"It is really important to stay firmly on the ground and just keep on working hard at training. Every game, you push yourself to the maximum. Each and every player does whatever the coach is asking from us. And if it's meant to be, we just have to put in some hard work and everything else will come.

"I'm really happy to have advanced to the final and that I contributed with the goal. It's really a big thing for the club TS Galaxy, an ambitious club, with lots of good players."