Stellenbosch and TS Galaxy go head-to-head in the inaugural Carling Knockout Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides have their own fierce reasons for wanting to walk away with this trophy, having picked off some big teams to secure a final place.
While Galaxy made history by beating Kaizer Chiefs to claim the 2019 Nedbank Cup final, Stellenbosch are competing for their first silverware, since gaining promotion to the DStv Premiership for the 2019/20 season.
Stellies have made it to two previous semi-finals, only to lose, to Sekhune United and Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 respectively. Under Sead Ramovic, his new crop of players are, meanwhile determined to write their own story with an unlikely victory of their own.
Stellies overcame Chippa, Polokwane City and Richards Bay while Galaxy beat Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune and AmaZulu en route to the final.
The last time these two sides faced each other, Stellies ran out 3-0 victors, while Steve Barker’s side come into this tie in fourth place on the DStv Premiership standings as the Rockets sit in 14th place.
Ahead of the clah, Barker said on IOL: “Firstly, there’s massive excitement. Stellenbosch is traditionally a bastion of rugby, with a number of players going on to become Springboks, having schooled there.
“So, for the town to have our team playing in the final (is huge) for the fans, the community around, the players and their families are also very excited.
“It’s not often you get to the final, and when you get to the final, you’ve got to make the most of it because there’s no guaranteeing that you’ll be in a final again – so that’s heightened the excitement level.”
Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana added: “It would mean a lot to us because when people talk about TS Galaxy, they always refer to 2018 when they beat Chiefs. But from that squad, none of the players are in this team.
“We are a whole different squad, players and technical team – pretty much everyone (is new). It’s only the management that’s not new.
“It’s a whole new group that wants to achieve something and write their own history. So, I think it’d be great to achieve something as a group.”
