Sparkes joined Pirates at the start of the season from Welsh giants Swansea City and will experience one of the biggest fixtures on the continent when they face Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The 33-year-old trainer has experienced and enjoyed several big fixtures in his career thus far, having worked for clubs such as the New York Red Bulls in the MLS as well as Austria's Salzburg.
His biggest derby to date has been the one back home between Swansea and Cardiff City; however, Sparkes has been awestruck by the build-up and engagement for this weekend's Soweto Derby.
"It's the biggest derby in Africa. It sold out within a week and it's not just fans of the two clubs who attend, people come from all over the country and the continent to watch it.
"I don't think I really grasped the magnitude of the game. My reference points are generally games in Europe, but the whole country comes to a standstill for it.
"So it's a big day in my career and that's why I wanted to take this opportunity, to feel that bit of pressure and that first-team environment. It definitely adds something.
"I've been around the Swans when we have been playing Cardiff and everything just goes up a notch in those weeks, you can sense it. It's the same here.
"There's a spring in everyone's step, everyone is telling you they are fully fit and raring to go, even if they have got niggling injuries. I cannot wait for it."
Sparkes is tasked with selecting the goalkeeper who starts in tomorrow's mammoth clash between Brilliant Khuzwayo, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Jackson Mabokgwane and Wayne Sandilands.
It's the kind of headache he is relishing however, and he's hungry to show his grit with a club of The Buccaneers' magnitude.
"Stepping up to being a permanent first-team goalkeeping coach has come at the right time for me. It's a big club with a massive following," he added.
"So it's not about the long-term or a five-year plan, like I have been used to in an academy setting. I have to make the keepers better now, because we need to win on Saturday. It's all about winning games.