The absence of Khune was hyped ahead of the Soweto Derby but Khuzwayo stepped up to the plate and starred for Chiefs on the big day.
So convincing was Khuzwayo that there are no concerns anymore that he will safely guard the posts until Khune returns from injury.
“The fear factor was probably with supporters, the media and other people but there was no fear factor here,” says Baxter.
Khuzwayo went into last Saturday’s Final having only started just five games plus one substitute appearance since arriving at Naturena in June 2012.
“We work every day with the players and we knew very well that we had both Reyaad (Pieterse) and Brilliant. Reyaad went in last year and played in the same situation and since we still had both of them we were confident that one of them would step up to the plate.
“But now are you confident that he is going to get a man-of-the-match performance, no, you are not. That is the same if it was a full-back.
“This squad has to meet the challenges that are thrown in front of them. The challenge that Brilliant had was a special one because everybody was talking about Itu and that we miss Itu, even the Pirates camp was trying to wind up the pressure on him (Khuzwayo). Well, don’t they feel silly now?
“A lot of people feel silly now and have egg on their face because Brilliant gave a good performance but again I say that is what I expected from him because we work with him every day.
“We knew all along that just like everyone else, he was capable of feeling the heat from the Derby and the Final and a sort of semi-debut again. We thought he could give a performance and he stood by it,” says Baxter.