Stellies look to bounce back from Nedbank Cup exit against high-flying Pirates

Stellenbosch will be hoping to put getting knocked out of the Nedbank Cup behind them when they go up against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday evening. Kick-off is at 19:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Stellies were defeated 3-1 by Kaizer Chiefs, thus being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup last weekend. In the Betway Premiership, however, the Western Cape outfit won their previous league match 1-0 against Marumo Gallants.

Placed third in the league standings, Steve Barker’s side will be hoping to close the gap between themselves and second-placed Orlando Pirates to five points with a victory.

As for the Buccaneers, the Soweto team are currently flying high after winning two games in a row following a shock 2-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants.

On to the next one 🔜 pic.twitter.com/IlmDZXHfFt
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) March 9, 2025

One being a 1-0 away victory against Chippa United and the other being a win on penalties against SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup, seeing them advance to the semifinals of the cup competition.

WHAT WAS SAID

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is being coy about the team’s chances of achieving the quadruple this season.

The team is still in the running for the CAF Champions League, Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup trophies after having already won the MTN8.

"It's very important for us to give our best in every competition where we participate and particularly as a group, we have an ambition since day one to play every final, to play every last game of the competition with the possibility to be No 1 in every competition where we participate,” Riveiro said.

“We are realistic, we know the difficulty of being there in the last game of every competition but so far, I think in those kind of scenarios, we did a good job as a team, as a club."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andre de Jong, Stellenbosch – The New Zealander was on target in the Nedbank Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, and will strive to increase his tally in the Betway Premiership as he’s only scored one goal in the league this season in 16 matches.

Sipho Chaine, Orlando Pirates – The goalkeeper was on form in the Nedbank Cup against SuperSport United, making crucial saves in the penalty shootout to ensure advancement in the competition. The 28-year-old will be eager to keep a clean sheet in this clash against Stellies following his stellar performance between the sticks.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2019/20 Pirates 1-0 Stellenbosch Mhango

2020/21 Pirates 1-1 Stellenbosch Nyauza; Sinkala

2020/21 Stellenbosch 0-0 Pirates

2021/22 Pirates 2-2 Stellenbosch Hotto, Mosele; Isaacs, Moseamedi

2021/22 Stellenbosch 0-3 Pirates Makgaka, Hotto 2

2022/23 Stellenbosch 1-1 Pirates Mendieta; Sibisi

2022/23 Pirates 4-1 Stellenbosch Monare, Maela, Erasmus, Ndlondlo; Boji

2023/24 Stellenbosch 1-0 Pirates Van Wyk

2023/24 Pirates 2-3 Stellenbosch Xoki (pen), Makgopa; Rayners, Titus, De Jong