Carling Knockout final: Can Gallants pull off the improbable against Pirates?

Polokwane’s New Peter Mokaba Stadium is poised to host the grand finale of South African domestic football for 2025 as the celebrated Orlando Pirates lock horns with the resilient giant-killers, Marumo Gallants, in the highly anticipated Carling Knockout Cup final on Saturday night.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup venue sets the stage for a compelling contrast: the Buccaneer machine, intent on sweeping up every piece of silverware, versus the dogged determination of Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, who have carved a reputation for upsetting the established order in cup competitions.

18:00 SAST is the scheduled kickoff time for the sold-out Carling Knockout final.

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇_𝐃𝐀𝐘

🏆 #CarlingKnockout Final
🆚 @_Marumogallants
🗓 Saturday ,6 December 2025
🎟 SOLD-OUT
⏰ 18H00
🏟 Peter Mokaba Stadium
📺 @SuperSportTV
📺 @Official_SABC1

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/PVBqry8ZOs

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) December 6, 2025

Marumo Gallants: The High-Stakes Specialists

Gallants’ journey to the Limpopo capital has been defined by drama and nerve. Their reputation as knockout specialists is well-earned, having navigated a treacherous path where their mettle was repeatedly tested in penalty shootouts.

Their campaign began with the competition’s most seismic shock, holding the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless draw before prevailing in Sudden Death. They then delivered a statement, dismantling 2022/23 champions Stellenbosch FC with four unanswered goals in their only home fixture.

The semi-final delivered another spectacle—a four-goal thriller against Lamontville Golden Arrows that ultimately saw Gallants hold their nerve in the lottery of penalties once more.

This cup success stands in stark relief against their challenging league form, having secured just one outright victory since mid-August. Furthermore, their only outright away win of the season came in the opening week. However, their ability to drag high-stakes away encounters to the limit and outlast their opponents speaks to a deep, ingrained grit perfectly suited for cup football.

Orlando Pirates: Chasing a Clean Sweep

#CarlingKnockout Final🍻 | Match Day ⚽

🆚Orlando Pirates FC
🗓 Saturday,6 December 2025
🎟 SOLD-OUT
⏰ 18H00
🏟 Peter Mokaba Stadium

Gallants Family, let’s finish this together! 💚⚔️🔥#GallantsAllTheWay #CarlingCupFinal #WeAreReady #RoadToTheFinal #CarlingKnockout pic.twitter.com/2Y5GZeOdN5

— MARUMO GALLANTS FC (@_Marumogallants) December 6, 2025

The Soweto Giants arrive at the final with an almost unprecedented opportunity to secure a “double-double” of domestic cups while sitting atop the league table. Their 10-match unbeaten streak in the Premiership guarantees their league lead heading into the new year, leaving the Carling Knockout as the final target for a perfect start to the campaign.

The Buccaneers’ route to the final has been defined by clinical efficiency. They secured tight margins in all three knockout fixtures:

A late screamer from Mbekezeli Mbokazi secured a 1-0 win in the first round. They survived a nervy finish against Magesi FC in the quarter-final.

A solitary first-half strike from Tshepang Moremi saw them past Richards Bay in the semi-final.

Despite playing away from their traditional Orlando Stadium fortress, Pirates enter the final billed as hosts, boasting a remarkable run of ten consecutive home victories across all competitions, a streak that includes their recent MTN8 final triumph. While the calm influence of the injured Sihle Nduli may be missed in the midfield, the form of the returning Makhehleni Makhaula provides ample cover and experience.

Head-to-Head: Battle for Supremacy

The knockout rivalry between these two sides is perfectly balanced, with a 1-1 record in high-stakes encounters.

Their two previous meetings, both in the Nedbank Cup, resulted in a shock penalty shootout win for Gallants back in 2022, followed by Pirates levelling the score in the semi-finals of the 2024/25 edition.

While Gallants claimed a dramatic 2-1 league win earlier this season, the historical advantage still rests with Pirates, who hold six wins in 11 overall fixtures. Crucially, the Soweto Giants remain unbeaten against Gallants on home soil, securing four consecutive victories in their hosted games.

With tickets officially sold out, the anticipation for this decisive clash is palpable, promising an epic conclusion to the year’s domestic cup calendar.