Orlando Pirates are set for a tricky start to their Nedbank Cup title defence after being pitted against top-flight rivals Richards Bay in the opening round of this year’s tournament. The two sides were part of the 32 teams present at the live draw held on Thursday night and will contest one of only four all-Premiership fixtures when the competition gets underway.
A third straight title will be at stake for the Soweto Giants as they look to replicate the feat of the all-conquering team that donned the famous black and white from 1973 to 1975. That legendary outfit remains the only team to successfully defend the national cup title twice in a row and history now beckons for the Class of 2025 whose quest has been set out.
With the Natal Rich Boyz first up on the card, the two teams are set for their first-ever clash in the Nedbank Cup. However, the match will be somewhat of a grudge match following the Buccaneers’ early exit from the 2023/24 Carling Knockout in their only cup encounter to date.
For the men from KwaZulu-Natal, the fixture is an opportunity to underline their status as giant killers, having also claimed the scalp of Pirates’ Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at a similar stage in the 2021 edition. They have since failed to advance past the opening round in each of the three subsequent tournaments, and will be determined to turn the tide by ending the back-to-back title holders’ reign.
The 2024/25 Nedbank Cup is scheduled to begin later this month, with fixture dates, venues, kick-off times set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.