The subject of cup finals will again be a subject of discussion for the Big Three with one of them again in a trophy decider this weekend.
Rarely have domestic cup finals in the PSL era years not featured any of the Big Three – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – and the evidence is as clear as the summer skies.
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Mamelodi Sundowns have new boys Magesi FC as competition to determine who goes up the podium as champions at the Free State Toyota Stadium on Saturday (18:00).
While across all competitions it is Sundowns at the top of the list in the trophies won (27) since 1996, cup competitions make for intriguing reading.
The Brazilians will be playing their 25th domestic final on Saturday since their first in 1998 when they won the Bob Save Superbowl.
That final against Orlando Pirates couldn't produce a winner after extra-time and the same happened in the replay, which Sundowns ultimately won 6-5 on penalties.
From their count of 24 to date, the Chloorkop-based club has won 10 with the most recent being the 2022 Nedbank Cup.
They have gone up the podium in tears through the years and notable were the two defeats in consecutive years (1997 and 1998) to Kaizer Chiefs on penalties in the Rothmans Cup after some dubious officiating.
While Sundowns have played the most finals of all the Big Three, it is Chiefs who have lifted the most trophies.
Amakhosi have won 15 out of 22 cup finals but have not known about that cup competition joy since September 2014 when they edged Orlando Pirates in the MTN8.
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Their first cup success in the PSL era years was the 1997 Rothmans Cup.
For Pirates – who have been cruising under Jose Riveiro in matters relating to domestic knockout football – they are now up to 24 cup finals with 14 wins.
Bucs have won the last three MTN8 editions and the last two Nedbank Cups, so unlike Chiefs, will watch Saturday's final with less frustrations.