In his time at Kaizer Chiefs, Bafana Bafana number one Itumeleng Khune has come up against different keepers, such as the late Senzo Meyiwa, Moeneeb Josephs, Brighton Mhlongo and Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Now Wayne Sandilands will be at the opposite end of Khune's goal in the Derby tomorrow, and Rowen Fernandez - a former Bucs goalkeeper coach and Amakhosi player - believes the two men could play a crucial role for their respective teams.
With Khune having been an influential figure for Amakhosi this season, and Sandilands proving the sort of figure Pirates have lacked in recent times, snl24.com/kickoff spoke to Fernandez about what the duo could bring to the mammoth fixture this weekend.
“Both keepers have been in the game for a long time. I think Wayne obviously has the CAF experience with Mamelodi Sundowns that he brings to Pirates, and Khune has been around for a very long time at Chiefs. So they’re both quite experienced keepers,” says Fernandez.
“It will be nice for Wayne to play in his first Soweto Derby, while Khune is obviously way ahead in that department. So in terms of experience I think they’re both able to handle the occasion.
“In terms of form, they’re both doing very well, with Khune obviously being the talisman at Chiefs, starting things from the back with his excellent distribution, which everyone talks about.
“Wayne has got a presence about himself now and he’s coming into his own, after he wasn’t playing as often as he would have liked at Sundowns, establishing himself as Pirates' number one.
“I think for both sides there’s good confidence in having their regular number ones available.”
With Sandilands set to make his official Soweto Derby debut, Fernandez believes the 34-year-old should be fine to handle the occasion due to his experience on the CAF Champions League final stage.
“Wayne should be okay. Being at Sundowns for so many years and being involved in the Champions League, which we all know in Africa is never easy,” he says.
“With the experience of those travels into the tougher, hostile parts of the continent, it will stand him in good stead for the Derby, although every Derby is different.
“Every Soweto Derby is unique, even these days when I speak about it and watch the game on TV I get goosebumps, because those days are magical.”
The former Bafana Bafana shot-stopper also believes form will count for nothing come 15h30 on Saturday, and backs both Sandilands and Khune to set the tone from the back.
“Both teams can be playing horrible football, in dire straights in bad parts on the log, but come Derby day it’s always exciting – the form book is out the window and players come to the occasion and fans come out in their numbers, which is lekker,” he adds.
“Wayne should be good, he’s a good kid, a nice head on his shoulders and very experienced individual, and the same can be said of Khune.
“At the end of the day both keepers should be able to settle the nerves of the players around themselves, and they can be the foundation their teams can build upon.”
In terms of their attributes, Fernandez feels they measure up well, apart from Khune’s advantage in his distribution ability.
"They’re both very good showstoppers, very agile with good reflexes. Khune’s distribution is obviously ahead of Wayne by a bit, and it’s something Chiefs can use as a weapon.
"Wayne’s communication and commanding of the 18-yard area is very good. He’s gaining more and more confidence with each passing game and so is Khune. Both are also very good in the air."