From Chiefs icons to Pirates legends, these are some of the players who have scored the most goals in South Africa’s biggest football rivalry.

The Soweto derby has always been defined by moments. Across more than 50 years, a small group of players have stood out for their consistency in front of goal.

While historical records from earlier decades can vary depending on competitions counted, there is clear agreement on the leading names who shaped the scoring charts in South Africa’s most influential fixture.

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Patrick Ntsoelengoe – Kaizer Chiefs – 19 goals

Ntsoelengoe remains the leading scorer in Soweto derby history. His record, built during Chiefs’ dominance in the 1970s and 1980s, has stood for decades and remains untouched.

Marks Maponyane – Kaizer Chiefs/Orlando Pirates – 11 goals

Maponyane is one of the few players to have scored for both clubs in the derby. His ability to deliver across different teams places him among the most reliable scorers.

Nelson Dladla – Kaizer Chiefs – 11 goals

Dladla shares second place on the all-time list. His consistency in key matches reflects the strength of Chiefs during one of their most successful periods.

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Abednego ‘Shaka’ Ngcobo – Kaizer Chiefs – 11 goals

Ngcobo also reached 11 goals in the fixture. His contribution further highlights Chiefs’ dominance in the early years of the rivalry.

Jomo Sono – Orlando Pirates – 9 goals

Sono remains Pirates’ leading scorer in the derby. Known for his technical ability, he combined creativity with end product and remains a central figure in the club’s history.

Kaizer Motaung – Kaizer Chiefs/Orlando Pirates – 8 goals

Motaung made his mark in the early years of the derby before founding Kaizer Chiefs. His record reflects his influence both on and off the pitch.

Beyond the leading group, several players have made notable contributions without reaching the same totals.

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Jerry Sikhosana remains the last player to score a hat-trick in the derby, doing so in 1996. Benedict Vilakazi and Siphiwe Tshabalala were consistent scorers for Pirates and Chiefs in the modern era, while John “Shoes” Moshoeu delivered key goals during the 1990s.

In recent years, fewer players have built high scoring totals. Modern derbies are tighter, with goals often shared across teams rather than dominated by one individual.

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images