Pirates are chasing an unprecedented fifth title in a row and sixth in the last seven years, while Sundowns’ and Chiefs’ history in this competition in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era has been underwhelming.
The top-eight competition has been a regular feature on the South African football calendar since the 1970s, but did fall off it at the start of the 1996/97 season, only returning in 2000/01.
There have therefore been 26 editions since the start of the PSL, with Pirates comfortably the most successful side in that time with eight wins, compared to three for Chiefs and two for Sundowns.
But how have the teams fared generally in terms of quarter-final, semi-final and runners-up finishes too? It makes for interesting reading.
Orlando Pirates
Participations: 25
Winners: 8 (32%)
Runners-up: 3 (12%)
Semi-finals: 4 (16%)
Quarter-finals: 10 (40%)
It has generally been win or bust for Pirates. They have won almost a third of the MTN8 competitions they have entered in the PSL era, but have also exited in the quarter-finals on 10 occasions, or 40% of the time.
So in almost three out of every four competitions, they have either won or gone out in the first round.
They have also finished runners-up three times, so have reached 11 finals (44%), almost half of the competitions they have been in. They have gone out in the semi-finals just four times.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Participations: 22
Winners: 2 (9%)
Runners-up: 5 (23%)
Semi-finals: 10 (45%)
Quarter-finals: 5 (23%)
Sundowns, given their extraordinary success in the last decade, would have expected to have more than two wins in the top-eight competition in the PSL era, but here we are.
They have also been runners-up five times in their 22 participations (23%), so have reached the final almost a third of the time. They have just failed to get over the line most of the time.
Their nemesis has been the semi-finals, where they have exited on 10 occasions (45%), or almost half the time. They have only gone out in the quarter-finals on five occasions.
Kaizer Chiefs
Participations: 21
Winners: 3 (14%)
Runners-up: 4 (19%)
Semi-finals: 8 (38%)
Quarter-finals: 6 (29%)
Chiefs have appeared in the competition 21 times, the fewest of the Big Three, and this year return for the first time since 2023.
They have a modest three wins and another four final appearances, so have reached the deciding match a third of the time.
They too have had trouble with the semi-final stage, with eight exits there (38%), and have gone out in the quarter-finals on six occasions (29%).
They have not lifted the trophy since beating Pirates in the final in 2014.