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Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns PSL Head-to-Head & Stats

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 09 Oct 2026

Ralph Staniforth 09 Oct 2026

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Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are among the top rivals in South African football.
Sundowns lead the head-to-head with a 24-18 record, including a 10-match unbeaten streak in league matches before a loss in April 2025.
Pirates excel in cup finals, winning the 2023-24 Nedbank Cup 2-1 after extra time.

Sundowns vs Pirates is the second-biggest fixture in local football (Getty Images).

The Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns rivalry is amongst the three biggest in South Africa. The teams tend to play out exciting clashes with more goals than the Soweto Derby.
Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns Head-to-Head Record
Latest Results
Conclusion

Sundowns are nicknamed “Masandawana” and have won seven league titles in a row. Pirates are dubbed the “Sea Robbers” and won domestic cup doubles in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons under coach Jose Riveiro.

Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns Head-to-Head Record

In the 58 previous meetings, Sundowns hold a 24-18 lead with 16 draws. Mamelodi Sundowns went on a 10-match unbeaten streak in league meetings between 2019 and 2025 before losing 2-1.

During that run, Sundowns won eight meetings with two draws. Pirates scored just three goals across that winless league period.

The clubs have met in several cup finals across their history. They faced off over two legs in the 1997-98 BOB Save Super Bowl Final. After both matches finished 1-1, Sundowns won on penalties.

Downs also won the 2007-08 SAA Supa8 final against Pirates. The clubs met in the 2022-23 MTN8 Final where Pirates won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

The clubs also met in the 2023-24 Nedbank Cup final where Orlando Pirates won 2-1 in added time to complete a second consecutive domestic cup double.

Wins, Draws, and Losses:

Mamelodi Sundowns: 24 wins

Orlando Pirates: 18 wins

Draws: 16 draws

Info	Played	Won by Pirates	Won by Sundowns	Draws
Overall	57	18	24	16

Latest Results

Date	Result	Competition
22 Oct 2022	Sundowns 0-3 Pirates	MTN8
30 Dec 2022	Sundowns 2-0 Pirates	League
4 Feb 2023	Pirates 0-1 Sundowns	League
20 Sept 2023	Pirates 0-1 Sundowns	League
7 Oct 2023	Pirates 0-0 Sundowns	MTN8
17 Feb 2024	Sundowns 1-1 Pirates	League
1 June 2024	Sundowns 1-2 Pirates	Nedbank Cup
8 Feb 2025	Sundowns 4-1 Pirates	League
16 Mar 2025	Pirates 2-1 Sundowns	League
16 Aug 2025	Pirates 1-1 Sundowns	MTN8
23 Aug 2025	Sundowns 1-1 Pirates	MTN8
1 Nov 2025	Sundowns 1-1 Pirates	League
18 Feb 2026	Pirates 1-2 Sundowns	League
10 Oct 2026	Pirates vs Sundowns	MTN 8

Conclusion

The rivalry between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns is growing every year and drew a sold out crowd for the MTN8 meetings on 16 and 23 August 2025.

This fixture tends to produce excitement and goals and is a less cagey affair than the Soweto Derby. Sundowns hold an advantage and usually dominate the league fixtures in recent seasons.

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.