Stellenbosch set sights on Orlando Pirates as rain threatens Cape Town clash

With the Betway Premiership title race entering its decisive phase, Stellenbosch FC coach Gavin Hunt is quietly banking on an old Cape Town advantage to disrupt Orlando Pirates’ championship push when the sides meet at a rain-soaked Danie Craven Stadium on Tuesday night.

Heavy rain and a cold front sweeping through the Western Cape have raised the possibility of testing, heavy conditions for the 7:30 pm kick-off, a scenario Hunt believes could tilt the contest in his side’s favour against one of the league’s most fluent attacking teams.

Before South African football’s shift to a summer calendar in 1996, Cape Town sides often thrived in winter football, with wet pitches and strong winds at venues like Athlone Stadium historically unsettling visiting teams from Gauteng.

Hunt, who played as a right-back for Hellenic during that era, is well aware of how much conditions can influence a match.

Now leading Stellenbosch, he sees similar potential in the forecast. “The weather does affect our approach, because obviously, it’s a very different game playing in the rain,” Hunt said.

“The pitch is much heavier and slower, which will hopefully suit us more because they are one of the best sides in the country in terms of the speed with which they play.”

He added that Pirates’ attacking efficiency will require careful planning. “They create [many] more chances than other teams in the league, and that’s something we certainly need to be aware of. But it does change a lot in terms of how you approach the game.”

Pirates arrive in Cape Town on 59 points, needing maximum points to stay within reach of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who sit on 64. With only three matches remaining after this fixture, every result carries significant weight in the title race.

Stellenbosch, however, are fighting on a different front. Hunt’s side remain in contention for a top-eight finish and qualification for next season’s MTN8, but a recent 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City stalled their momentum after a commendable 1-1 draw against Sundowns in Pretoria.

The veteran coach admitted frustration at the missed opportunity but insisted belief remains intact. “We’ve had a bit of a break since our last game — about 10 days — and while we would have preferred to have played sooner, we are looking forward to the game,” he said.

“We were very disappointed that we lost last week because we shouldn’t have lost or even drawn that game. It was disappointing because we could’ve come into this match in a much better situation.”

Despite the setback, Hunt is focused on the final stretch of the season. “But we’re still fighting for the top eight, and we have a chance of achieving that. We have to try. We’ve got four games left, and we’ll probably have to win three of those.”