The two teams will meet for only the second time in a knockout cup clash since The Rockets shocked Masandawana with a victory on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the inaugural 2023/24 Carling Knockout Cup.

TS Galaxy have won once in their three matches in February, winning their Round of 32 clash against Marumo Gallants but losing consecutive Betway Premiership matches to Sekhukhune United and Durban City without scoring a goal.

Meanwhile, Ka Bo Yellow are unbeaten this month, having progressed past lower division side Gomora United in the last Nedbank Cup round and into the CAF Champions League knockout phase before the midweek league match win against Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso hinted at rotating the squad for the clash against Galaxy, citing a tough schedule as the main reason for possible changes.

"We've a lot of matches and we also increased the number of Champions League matches compared to other teams this season in SA," said Cardoso at the Nedbank Cup pre-match conference on Thursday.

"After four days, we played against Pirates, a team that put a lot of intensity into the match. If I put these boys who played against Pirates to play 90 minutes against Galaxy, I believe all of them will have muscle injuries. They can play, but not for 90 minutes."

On the other side, The Rockets coach Adnan Beganovic is banking on the Tshwane giants' possible fatigue to give them an advantage for the cup encounter tomorrow.

“I watched both games against Alger and Pirates live. I was at the stadium,” said Beganovic

"Yes, it was a high-intensity game. Both games, they spent a lot of energy on a quality team, we need to be honest.

“Sundowns play quality football with quality players, and it can be advantageous for us after they played two games in a short space of time with a lot of energy.”

The two teams will do battle at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday, and it could be the first time Bafana Bafana defender Khulumani Ndamane faces his former club since his January move. Kick-off is at 15h00.

Pirates' Maela plans on furthering his academic studies