The MTN8 gets underway on Saturday, with South Africa’s so-called ‘Big Three’ – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – among the leading contenders for the trophy.

Orlando Pirates will be aiming to make more history as they chase an unprecedented fifth consecutive MTN8 title and their sixth triumph in the last seven editions.

For Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, however, their records in the competition during the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era make for less impressive reading.

The top-eight tournament has been a regular fixture on the South African football calendar since the 1970s. It was discontinued at the beginning of the 1996/97 season before returning in 2000/01.

That means there have been 26 editions since the start of the PSL era, with Pirates comfortably leading the way. They have lifted the trophy eight times, compared with three victories for Chiefs and two for Sundowns.

But looking beyond the winners, how have the three giants performed across the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals?

The numbers make for fascinating reading.

Orlando Pirates

Participations: 25
Winners: 8 (32%)
Runners-up: 3 (12%)
Semi-finals: 4 (16%)
Quarter-finals: 10 (40%)

It has largely been a case of win or bust for Orlando Pirates in the MTN8.

The Buccaneers have won almost a third of the competitions they have entered during the PSL era, but they have also suffered quarter-final exits on 10 occasions – exactly 40% of their appearances.

That means that in almost three out of every four editions, Pirates have either lifted the trophy or been eliminated at the first hurdle.

They have also finished runners-up three times, meaning they have reached the final on 11 occasions – 44% of their 25 participations and almost half of all their appearances.

Pirates have been knocked out in the semi-finals just four times.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Participations: 22
Winners: 2 (9%)
Runners-up: 5 (23%)
Semi-finals: 10 (45%)
Quarter-finals: 5 (23%)

Considering Mamelodi Sundowns’ remarkable dominance over South African football in the past decade, their record of just two MTN8 titles during the PSL era is somewhat surprising.

The Brazilians have reached five finals in 22 appearances, finishing runners-up on each occasion. Overall, they have made it to the deciding match almost a third of the time, but have struggled to convert those opportunities into trophies.

The semi-finals have proved to be Sundowns’ biggest stumbling block.

They have been eliminated at that stage 10 times – 45% of their appearances – meaning they have failed to progress from the semi-finals in almost half of their campaigns.

By comparison, they have exited in the quarter-finals just five times.

Kaizer Chiefs

Participations: 21
Winners: 3 (14%)
Runners-up: 4 (19%)
Semi-finals: 8 (38%)
Quarter-finals: 6 (29%)

Kaizer Chiefs have featured in the MTN8 21 times, the fewest of the Big Three, and will return to the competition this year for the first time since 2023.

The Glamour Boys have won the trophy three times and finished runners-up on four occasions, giving them seven final appearances – exactly one-third of their campaigns.

Like Sundowns, however, Chiefs have found the semi-final stage particularly difficult to navigate.

They have suffered eight semi-final exits, accounting for 38% of their appearances, while they have also been eliminated in the quarter-finals six times.

Their most recent MTN8 triumph came in 2014, when they defeated Orlando Pirates in the final.

More than a decade later, Chiefs will be hoping their return to the competition can mark the beginning of another successful chapter, while Pirates look to extend their remarkable recent dominance and Sundowns aim to add another trophy to an already impressive collection.