Matlaba was handed the armband by coach Eric Tinkler in the absence of injured duo Oupa Manyisa and Happy Jele.
Bucs went on to win 3-1 at FNB Stadium this past weekend to snap a five-game winless run in the League.
"I don't know how to express the feeling," Matlaba tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"To lead a big team like Pirates is a privilege and honour. And to be on the winning side on the same day was a special feeling."
The speedy fullback revealed he had previously never skippered a team in his career, not even at amateur level.
"This was my first time to be a captain in my entire soccer career," says the Bafana Bafana international.
"I am happy with the support I got from my teammates. They were joking around before the game. They were happy for me and busy calling me skipper, skipper."
Matlaba adds: "We needed this victory more than anything to boost our morale after poor results in the League."
Pirates will next visit Ajax Cape Town in the League on Wednesday before reviving hostilities with Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals on Saturday.