Swallows left-back Thabo Matlaba says the outcome of their Premiership clash with Orlando Pirates on Sunday will be decided by the team "wants it the most".
The Dube Birds have been in sublime form this season with six victories and three draws to sit level on points with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns after nine rounds of matches.
They are eight points better off than Pirates down in fifth place, but having played a game more.
The experienced Matlaba says that regardless of history or standing, the team that will prevail from the original Soweto Derby this weekend will be the side that sticks to its guns.
He told KickOff: "Football doesn't care if you are fast or slow, tall or young, it's all about how serious you are on that day.
"It depends on how much you want it. How serious you are about competing with the team you are playing with? How serious are you about using your scoring chances?
"We respect every match. It doesn't mean because it's Orlando Pirates now we are changing our structures. So we are sticking to our plans, we go there and fight, that's it."
Matlaba added: "So we have a mixed team here, we've got energy and some experienced players. It's balanced. I always tell people that put Pirates and Swallows together and compare the players, trust me, at Swallows you will find more experienced players than at Pirates.
"So football doesn't care if this is Pirates and they've got speed, football is played on the ground. It's about who wants it the most."
Kick-off is at 15:30.
