The victory means that the Soweto Giants are in for their second shot at the title in three years, having last hoisted the coveted trophy in December 2020.
Holding a slight advantage in the tie after denying their opponents a vital away goal at Orlando Stadium, the Buccaneers knew that scoring in Polokwane would place them in the diving seat in the case of a draw on the day.
After withstanding an early storm from the hosts, the visitors pushed ahead with purpose from the right hand side of the field with Thabiso Monyane and Monnapule Saleng heavily involved in the opening exchanges.
It was through some excellent work from the same channel that the Soweto Giants were able to edge ahead as the in-form Saleng got the better of Aubrey Modiba on the flank before finding Kermit Erasmus on the far post, and the Bucs striker headed in from close range to make it 1-0.
That meant that the hosts would have to score at least twice and deny Pirates any further goals to progress beyond the semifinals, and the match situation required a solid defensive effort.
That was provided by the back four, along with the likes of Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was first called upon in the 15th minute to make a save from a Sundowns set piece in the 15th minute.
Monyane continued to be a menace on the right flank, leaving Modiba in his dust just to be denied by Rushine De Reuck, who cut off his supply into the box in the 23rd minute.
It was however the home side that had the better of the closing exchanges in the first half, as they continued to seek the all-too-vital-equaliser, but without finding the decisive touch.
The second half began with the Soweto Giants pegged back inside their own half, with their Tshwane counterpart dominating proceedings.
Miguel Timm and Mpontshane were both required to intervene as Sundowns attacked and both made crucial stops to keep Pirates in the lead.
Much of the second half followed the same pattern, with the visitors feeding on scraps on attack until the closing ten minutes where second-half sub Zakhele Lepasa evaded a tackle on the left flank before playing Saleng in, and the Bucs attacking midfielder calmly slotted in from just inside the penalty area to double the lead.
Saleng was however not done, and made amends for an earlier miss from just seconds before he received the ball inside the box, eliminating one defender ahead of shooting into the far corner to make it 3-0 to the Buccaneers two minutes
The victory gives the Soweto Giants a second shot at the championship in three years, after they last won the prized trophy in December 2020.
After denying their opponents a crucial away goal at Orlando Stadium, the Buccaneers held a little advantage in the match and knew that scoring at Polokwane would put them in the driver’s seat in the event of a draw.
After withstanding an early onslaught from the hosts, Thabiso Monyane and Monnapule Saleng were significantly involved in the opening exchanges for the visitors on the right side of the field.
The Soweto Giants took the lead when the in-form Saleng beat Aubrey Modiba on the wing before finding Kermit Erasmus at the far post, and the Bucs striker scored with a close-range header to put the score 1-0.
In order to advance through the semifinals, the hosts were required to score at least twice and deny Pirates any additional goals, necessitating a solid defensive effort.
This was provided by the back four and Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was called upon for the first time in the 15th minute to save a Sundowns corner kick.
Monyane remained a threat on the right wing, leaving Modiba in his dust before being denied by Rushine De Reuck in the 23rd minute, who cut off his supply into the box.
However, the home team dominated the last exchanges of the first half as they continued to search for the all-important equalizer, but were unable to convert.
The Soweto Giants began the second half pinned back within their own half, with their Tshwane rival dominating play.
As Sundowns attacked, both Miguel Timm and Mpontshane were obliged to make key stops to preserve Pirates’ lead.
Until the last ten minutes, when second-half substitute Zakhele Lepasa escaped a tackle on the left flank and played Saleng in, the Bucs offensive midfielder calmly tapped in from just inside the penalty area to increase the advantage, the visitors continued to feed on crumbs in attack.
Two minutes into injury time, Saleng made amends for a previous miss from mere seconds before he collected the ball inside the box, beating one defender before hitting into the far corner to make it 3-0 for the Buccaneers.
That was the final decisive moment of the Buccaneers’ outstanding performance, which earned them a spot in their second MTN 8 final in three years.
into injury time.
That was the last decisive moment in what proved to be a top performance from the Buccaneers, providing their ticket into their second MTN 8 final in three years.
Pirates XI: Mpontshane (GK), Ndah, Sibisi, Monyane, Maela (C), Makaringe (59′ Mosele), Timm, Saleng, Hotto (Mako 72’), Erasmus (Lepasa 72’), Ndlondlo (59′ Motshwari).