Nothing will be mathematically decided this weekend, but victory over Durban City would, for all intents and purposes, hand them the trophy, something that seemed barely possible given the dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns in recent years.
The last time the league title race was remotely close was in 2019/20 when Sundowns pipped Kaizer Chiefs by two points on the final day of the season to lift the trophy.
Since then, The Brazilians have won the league at a canter by 13, 16, 16, 23 and 12 points.
While Pirates had shown improvement in recent years, the truth is they never got within touching distance of Sundowns until this campaign.
But now they have the chance to do what many thought was improbable at the start of the season, with games remaining against Durban City (home on Saturday) and relegation-threatened Orbit College (away on May 23).
Pirates trail Sundowns by three points but have a superior goal difference of +44 compared to The Brazilians’ +36.
A win on Saturday against Durban City would take them level at the top of the table, but ahead on goal difference.
It would take a catastrophic loss after that to deny them the title. If, for example, they beat Durban City 1-0, they would then need to lose 9-0 to Orbit College just to level the goal difference. It will not happen.
The best Sundowns can hope for is that the two sides Pirates are facing somehow deny them a win.
Durban City still need points to mathematically secure a top-eight place, though they have probably done enough already. Orbit College are facing the threat of relegation, though they could be safe by the time the teams meet on the final weekend.
Neither side is in particularly good form. Despite Durban City lifting the Nedbank Cup, they are winless in six Betway Premiership games (D3 L3). Orbit College have two wins in their last 18 matches (D5 L11).
So it looks almost certain Pirates will reach double figures in terms of league titles and move to 10, some 14 years after they lifted their last crown in 2011/12 and 55 years after their first in 1971.
For the record, Sundowns have 18 championship wins and Pirates’ Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs have 12.
Sundowns have won the league for the last eight seasons in a row since Bidvest Wits were champions in 2016/17.