Orlando Pirates gave their fans the perfect Christmas give after a 8-1 thumping of Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Deano Van Rooyen, Kabelo Dlamini and Tshegofatso Mabasa made up the alterations presented by the Buccaneers, while former Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango started upfront for Gallants.
Pirates hit the front right from kick-off after Deon Hotto ran in on the left of the six-yard box and slammed in off defender Kenneth Nthatheni.
Inclement weather around the stadium led the officiating team to suspend the match for the time being – leaving either spectrum eagerly contested.
The match eventually resumed at 15h45, with the Soweto giants still in control and boys from the Free State province in a desperate quest to level.
Parity was restored towards the half-hour mark as a defence-splitting pass by Monde Mphambaniso unleashed Mhango in-behind to beat a diving Sipho Chaine.
The Malawian looked to add a second goal a minute before halftime through a low free-kick from outside the box, but Chaine palmed for a corner-kick, while Relebohile Mofokeng saw his effort kept out by Washington Arubi at the other end.
The Buccaneers were back in front a minute after halftime when Van Rooyen got out on the right and crossed for Mabasa to find the near post.
Mabasa secured a brace moments later where he ran in the box to meet a cutback from Hotto and fired in off the gloves of Arubi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued to chase shadows with the Buccaneers in mean mood and conceded again when Van Rooyen finished off a telling move.
The day belonged to Mabasa who bagged a hat-trick in the closing quarter when he sneaked in the box to execute Kabelo Dlamini's delivery from the left of the area.
Marumo's didn't get any better in the last 20 minutes and were sliced open again as Thalente Mbatha curled in off the underside of the crossbar.
Mbatha maintained confidence eight minutes to the end and grabbed a brace after finding space on the edge of the box to fire in the near post.
It continued to be one-way traffic when a foul in the box on Mofokeng led to a penalty and substitute Boitumelo Radiopane tucked in comfortably and saw the clash to a close.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Dlamini, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mabasa.
Subs: Buthelezi, Monyane, Xoki, Mako, Tshobeni, Rasebotja, Gilberto, Moleleki, Radiopane
Marumo Gallants: Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Nthatheni, Mabotja, Mathiane, Khumalo, Msendami, Dhludlhu, Nange, Mhango, Manaka, Mphambaniso
Subs: Mlambo, Sithole, Chabatsane, Nhlapo, Nemtajela, Shai, Mokobodi, Mahlatsi, Sibiya.