Telkom Knockout finalists Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town meet in a dress rehearsal at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday night in what should be a highly competitive Absa Premiership showdown.

The two sides will meet again in the Knockout final a week later on December 13 at a venue to be decided by the Premier Soccer League this week.

And Pirates are hoping lightning strikes in the same place twice.

'Bucs' had back-to-back matches in the league and the quarterfinal of the Knockout against arch rivals Moroka Swallows last month and won both those games.

Said 'Bucs' spokesman Mickey Modisane: "We managed to see off Swallows, so playing Ajax twice in a row does not worry us in the least. But we will not underestimate them."

'Bucs' are determined to take a huge psychological advantage into the Knockout final by beating the 'Urban Warriors' in their league clash this Saturday and give their hopes of winning the Knockout trophy a massive boost. There is also R4.25 million up for grabs for the Knockout winner.

But there is a lot more at stake for Pirates as Modisane explained: "This is not about the money. Pride and achievement is on the line. We badly want to succeed to reward our fans who have been fantastic this season. They have been like a 12th man and have played a major part in us reaching the Knockout final.

"We have not won a knockout trophy since 2000 when we won the Top Eight Cup and now that we are in the Knockout final — 90 minutes from giving our fans a taste of glory — we do not want to spoil what will be a huge celebration."

'Bucs' qualified for the final by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0 in their semi-final at Durban's Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night while the 'Urban Warriors' had a tougher battle when they defeated Free State Stars 3-2 in a great cup-tie in which former Stars striker Sifiso Vilakazi scored a hat-trick against his former club in East London on Sunday.

It was the third hat-trick scored in the competition. Golden Arrows striker Richard Henyekane scored three goals in the 4-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the first round while Celtic's Patrick Malokase also netted three in a 5-0 demolition of Santos also in the opening round.

A lot of credit to Pirates' revival this season is due to the way that new coach Ruud Krol has guided his team. His strict, no nonsense style of management and coaching methods, are just what the doctor ordered for Pirates and are paying handsome dividends.

Last week 'Bucs' players, including star midfielder Teko Modise, were singing the praises of the former Dutch captain. Modise stated that 'Bucs' revival is down to the way Krol runs his side. Pirates have stretched their unbeaten record in all competitions to six games are they aim to make that eight come December 13.

Modisane agrees that Krol is having a massive influence on the squad and said: "The coach has brought a new dimension to Pirates by instilling discipline and self belief in the players. We are getting better and stronger with every match. But we are taking nothing for granted Ajax are one of those teams that always give us trouble. But we go into the next two weeks against Ajax with confidence.

"The players know what the coach wants them to achieve and that is winning cups and the league. It was a slow start to the season but the coach's faith in his players and faith in his own methods is really bearing fruit. But we still have two tough games against Ajax before we can start celebrating. There is still work to do but we are on track to lifting out first major cup in eight years."

Sapa