“I have never been to a Soweto Derby and this will be my first,” an excited Kagiso Rabada looks forward to Saturday’s clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. “I hope my presence will help us win.”

The South African cricket international has had a fantastic run in the recent test series against England, helping South Africa to win the fourth test with bowling figures of 13/144. Thanks to this feat the young fast bowler became the youngest South African to take a ten-wicket haul in a test.

Rabada and his fellow South African cricket international, Temba Bavuma, met on Thursday evening with Amakhosi defender Lorenzo Gordinho. The two cricket stars, both huge Chiefs supporters, were given this season’s jersey.

Bavuma recently became the first black cricketer to score a test century for South Africa. The batsman made an unbeaten 102 in the second test of the series against England.

“I have been a Chiefs fan all my life,” Bavuma points out. “I am really a hard-core supporter. I attend matches whenever possible, although the last Derby I saw live was two years ago.”

Rabada has been an ardent Amakhosi since the age of five: “That’s when I watched my first soccer match with my father.”

“We will wear our jersey with pride on Saturday,” they both reiterate.