Orlando Pirates' phenomenal start in the Betway Premiership has thrust them to within sight of overthrowing their two biggest rivals in the department of 'winning league games in a row' at the start of a new campaign.
Pirates have moved to seven consecutive wins, setting a new high for the most victories in league matches at the club - be it at the start of a new season or anywhere along the way.
READ | Riveiro reacts to setting new Bucs record
With 21 points, Bucs already have almost a third of the 'high' average (65) points tally that Mamelodi Sundowns have set in winning seven league titles in a row.
In previous years, numbers as low as 54 were enough to earn SuperSport United the title in the 2007/08 season.
Still early days, yes, but points in the bag count and Pirates have offloaded a reasonable portion of the weight in taking steps towards whatever points tally will be needed to lift the title this season.
Besides moving towards the destination of ending on the podium as the first recipients of the R20 million on offer for the league champions, Pirates' form has thrown them into another mix.
This being the longest winning start to a new season through the PSL era years, which date back to August 1996.
With seven so far, Pirates will join Kaizer Chiefs on eight if they win at home against Stellenbosch FC on November 30.
Amakhosi won the first eight league games on the way to the 2014/15 league title – which remains the last time they won silverware.
The bigger hurdle and longest ever winning start to a new season is what Sundowns did last term in winning their opening 11 league matches on the way to their seventh league title in a row.
To get to 11 – Pirates must take all points on offer before Christmas in games against Stellenbosch, Marumo Gallants, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United.
Game number 12 is Magesi FC on December 29, which will take them to new heights in the all-time standings of the longest winning start to a new season.
So far, seven wins in a row is what has made Jose Riveiro happier than reaching 100 matches in charge at Pirates.
"That (seven wins) is probably what is important than the 100 games, in my opinion.
"The fact that the boys managed to break one record tells quite a lot about how difficult it is to win consistently, win one game after the other and get to seven.
READ | Khoza announces HUGE Betway Prem prize money
"Now, it is in our hands to keep winning not because we want to establish a new record or more difficult one, but it is in our hands to continue winning and that is the aim.
"For me, the record is a sign of how difficult it is when it is the first time that somebody does it, so I'm happy for the boys and the club," says Riveiro.