The Soweto giants maintained their top-eight status with a 2-2 draw against visiting SuperSport United in the last round of league fixtures on Saturday.
The clubs will revive hostilities in the Nedbank Cup final at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on May 28.
"I think that we’ve done extremely well to finish in the top eight," says Matlaba, who was named Man of the Match at Orlando Stadium.
"We didn’t want to be those players who didn’t finish in the top eight. You know? I’m happy that we into the top eight,” adds the fullback.
The Sea Robbers finished seventh in the Absa Premiership in 2015/16.
By Makhosonke Zuma