From historic dominance to recent shifts, the key numbers behind the Soweto derby show how the balance has changed ahead of the latest clash.

Overall record

Kaizer Chiefs remain the most successful side in Soweto derby history.

Across all competitive meetings since 1970, Chiefs have recorded 75 wins compared to 50 for Orlando Pirates, with 54 draws and five abandoned matches.

Chiefs also lead the scoring charts, with over 230 goals in the fixture, while Pirates have reached the 200-goal mark.

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Recent dominance

While the long-term numbers favour Chiefs, recent meetings point clearly in Pirates’ favour.

Pirates have won six of the last seven Soweto derby clashes across all competitions.

They have also won the last four consecutive meetings, including a 3-0 result earlier in 2026, underlining a clear shift in control in the modern era.

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Draws becoming rare

Another key trend is how decisive the fixture has become.

There has not been a draw in the Soweto derby across the last 17 meetings. The last stalemate came in a 2-2 Telkom Knockout clash in 2019.

That run highlights how matches are increasingly settled within 90 minutes rather than ending level.

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Venues and scale

The derby remains the biggest fixture in South African sport.

FNB Stadium has hosted the majority of recent matches and is the most common venue overall, with nearly 80 derbies played there.

The fixture has been staged at 15 different venues, but the modern era is built around large-capacity stadiums and consistent sell-outs.

More than 90 000 spectators regularly show their support for the Soweto derby  at one the world’s largest stadiums.

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images