Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will do battle in the first-ever edition of the Shell Helix Cup on Saturday as both teams look to find their form before the start of the Absa Premiership.

With the usual curtain-raiser for the new PSL season, the Carling Black Label Cup, put on hold due to the World Cup this year, the match will serve as a replacement and will be a regular fixture for at least the next three years.

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Both teams are well into their preparations for the start of the South African domestic season, but Downs have already begun competitive football with the resumption of their Caf Champions League campaign.

Pitso Mosimane’s team slumped to a 1-0 loss against AS Togo-Port on Tuesday afternoon despite dominating in large periods of the game. Masandawana lacked a cutting edge that was often provided by the departed Khama Billiat and Percy Tau, raising questions about whether the Chloorkop-based side have adequately replaced their stars.

The result also leaves the 2016 Caf Champions League winners in a precarious position in Group C, as they sit rock bottom with just two points from their opening three games.

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Chiefs, on the other hand, retained the Maize Cup on Saturday after they beat Free State Stars 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The match will also allow new Chiefs manager Giovanni Solinas his first close-up look at his side after he watched the Maize Cup from the stands as he still awaits his work permit.

There will also be a number of new players on both teams who will have the chance to impress their managers.

Billiat will link up with another former Brazilian Leonardo Castro, who made the switch to Naturena in January, as they both look to haunt their former employers.

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Downs will also have new signings Toni Silva, Jose Ali Meza, Andile Jali and Lyle Lakay available for the clash, with Mosimane likely to rotate his players, resting those who did battle in the mid-week Champions League game.

Although it is just a pre-season friendly, both teams will be desperate to find their winning form heading into the new season as the two South African giants do battle at the FNB Stadium on Saturday with kick-off at 3pm.