Soweto Derby fever
The clash of two of Mzansi’s most loved soccer teams is around the corner. This Saturday, the 3rd of May, will see Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs in the country’s favourite derby. The Soweto Derby 2025! The Soweto Derby is not only South Africa’s biggest football derby but also the most iconic in Africa.
Soweto Derby tickets sell out quickly, and the FNB Stadium will, without a doubt, be filled to capacity for this Saturday’s match. An estimated 90,000 fans will be in attendance. Many in the crowd will be wearing the iconic Makarapa to the Derby, a custom-painted mining helmet adorned with team colours and logos. Fans will also don oversized plastic glasses, adding to the vibrant, electric stadium atmosphere that the Soweto Derby live experience is famous for. Let us have a closer look at the Soweto Derby 2025.
The Derby’s history
The Soweto Derby is steeped in history with the first match of the Derby taking place back in 1970. El Kasico as it is sometimes referred can be traced back to player Kazier Motaung who played for Orlando Pirates before moving to North America to go play for the Atlanta Chiefs. He found that there was a lot of problems and unease within Orlando Pirates when he returned from his international stint. This prompted him to create a team which was first called Kaizer XI which played friendly matches against other clubs in South Africa. The team grew in popularity and the name changed to Kaizer Chiefs.
Pirates vs Chiefs History
The two sides have clashed 178 times since 1970, including matches outside the Derby. The first Soweto Derby result was a thrilling 6-4 win for the Buccaneers. In 1972, Kaizer Chiefs struck back with a 7-3 victory, their biggest winning margin in the Derby’s history.
While Orlando Pirates claimed the first victory, a head-to-head stats comparison tells another story:
- Draws: 52
- Kaizer Chiefs wins: 74
- Orlando Pirates wins: 45
Earlier this year, the two teams met in a PSL Soweto Derby Premiership match at the FNB Stadium. This is where Pirates snatched a dramatic win with a 96th-minute goal. Despite that victory, Orlando Pirates’ form in the Premiership has seen them slip to 9th on the table, trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by several points.
Nedbank Cup Face-Off Looms
In the Nedbank Cup, the tide has turned. Kaizer Chiefs edged past Mamelodi Sundowns in a nail-biting semi-final on the 13th of April, securing their place in the final with an 89th-minute goal. Orlando Pirates also advanced after defeating Gallants in their semi-final on the same day. The two teams will clash again on Saturday, the 10th of May in Durban for the Nedbank Cup final.
Soweto Derby Predictions and Betting Odds
While the Soweto Derby 2025 odds may favour Orlando Pirates, football is unpredictable. The deafening sound of the crowd and vuvuzelas will affect players on both sides. Pirates, the favourites, will aim to gain a psychological edge ahead of the Nedbank Cup final.
All of our preferred bookies have odds on the match. Visit any of them listed below to compare offers:
- Orlando Pirates to win: 1.7/1
- Draw: 3.4/1
- Kaizer Chiefs to win: 5.7/1
Odds vary, so check multiple sites to find the best value. Whether you’re watching for the rivalry, the skill, or the atmosphere. There’s no denying the pull of the Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates showdown. I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat for kickoff at 15:00 this Saturday 3 May 2025.
Best Soccer Betting Sites
When it comes to betting on the Soweto Derby, South Africa’s top soccer betting sites offer punters a range of competitive odds, live betting options, and rewarding promotions.
Betway stands out with its exciting “Season Send-off” promotion. Thus giving fans even more reason to bet on the closing fixtures of the 2024/25 season. From 29 April to 31 May 2025, users who enter the promo and place a cash bet of R10 or more on any sport each day will receive 5 Bonus Spins daily. To qualify, bettors simply need to click “Enter,” place their bet. And watch for a notification with details on how to claim their spins. It’s a great way to add extra value while backing your favourite team in one of South Africa’s most iconic football clashes. There is also the Betway 4 To Score Promo which is top notch.
There are other new bookies that are great options to try for the Soweto Derby 2025 as well and worth a try. Bookies such as Mzansibet and Topbet, also long standing sites such as Easybet and Soccershop.
