Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch have both had mixed starts to the South African Premiership season, and Tuesday's clash at FNB Stadium gives both a chance to shake off the dust and set a new trajectory after the international break.
Chiefs are still unbeaten in the league after seven games under new head coach Fernando da Cruz, but have squandered points in four draws and sit fourth.
Meanwhile, Stellies have undergone yet another squad overhaul, but Gavin Hunt has kept them steady and relied on young talent. The Maroons sit seventh in the league.
Stellies fans will hope this match could provide a chance to incorporate players who have had little to no time on the pitch as Hunt got them up to speed.
Chiefs fans will hope that with limited international commitments compared to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, da Cruz was able to get the players better acquainted with his methods in the three weeks since their 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows.
Lest we forget, Hunt was previously at Kaizer Chiefs and led them to the 2020-21 CAF Champions League final, but was sacked before the fixture due to poor domestic results. Stuart Baxter oversaw the final and lost to Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly.
Hunt fared well against Chiefs last season with wins in the league and Nedbank Cup in February - shortly after joining Stellies. The four-time Premiership-winning coach will be in no mood to offer his former employers any favour in his first clash with da Cruz.
Key details
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. CAT (6:30 p.m. BST, 5:30 p.m. GMT)
Venue: FNB Stadium
How to watch: The match is available to watch on SuperSport's DSTV channel 205. ESPN provides updates on the South African Premiership on our digital platforms
Team news
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen (knee) and midfielder Lebo Maboe (ankle) are still working their way back to full fitness for Kaizer Chiefs.
Another midfielder, Siphesihle Ndlovu, is a long-term absentee - as is winger Langelihle Phili, who recently joined from Stellenbosch.
Expected lineups
Kaizer Chiefs
LB Bradley Cross | CB Thabo Moloisane | CB Inacio Miguel | RB Reeve Frosler
CM Sibongiseni 'Ox' Mthethwa | CM Adolf Bitegeko
LW Pule Mmodi | AM Mduduzi Shabalala | RW Asanele Velebayi
Stellenbosch
LB Terrence Mashego | CB Luthando Vena | CB Given Msimango | RB Siviwe Nkwali
CM George Matlou | CM Darrel Matsheke | CM Keenan Johannesen
LW Quwan Plaatjies | ST Bradley Grobler | RW Sinoxolo Kwayiba
Stats
Bradley Grobler has scored 12 goals and assisted 4 in 25 appearances against Kaizer Chiefs, as per Transfermarkt.
Kaizer Chiefs are one of only 3 unbeaten teams in the Premiership this season - the others being Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. However, Chiefs have drawn the joint-third most games in the Premiership this season (4 out of 7). Only Golden Arrows and Chippa United (5 out of 7 apiece) have drawn more.