Tshegofatso Mabasa grabbed a hat-trick as Orlando Pirates crushed Golden Arrows by 7-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.  

The others on the scoresheet were Relebogile Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, Sandile Mthethwa, and Karim Kimvuidi, with the Bucs registering their biggest win in the PSL.  

Lungelo Nguse pulled one back later in the game, scoring his second goal in the space of the week having netted in the 2-2 draw against SuperSport United.  

It was the first time Pirates have scored seven goals under the Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, who would have been disappointed that his side did not put much of a fight in this season’s title.    

This win saw Pirates move to third in the table with 37 points, two behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC, and 12 behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have four games in hand.  

Arrows were looking for their first league win over Pirates at Orlando Stadium since October 2015. Gladwin Shitolo, former Pirates player and now skippering Arrows, scored on the day as they won 2-0 at the iconic venue.  

But what happened nine years ago, Pirates ensured that it was not going to happen.  

Mabasa showed his predator touch, rifling home at the near post the first for Pirates in the 11^th minute. 

Sifiso Mlungwana had failed to claim the shot by returnee midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula, who clutched his chest and collapsed all on his own a few weeks ago here. 

It was quickly 2-0 three minutes later for Pirates as Mofokeng rounded Mlungwana before coolly slotting into an empty net, much to the disbelief of coach Steve Komphela on the bench. 

Arrows kept making mistakes in critical areas and for that, they were punished yet again as it was 3-0 for Pirates, with Dlamini beating Mlungwana at the near post.  

Komphela reacted by hauling off Malinga and introduced Nguse for some sort of inspiration to get back into the game.  

It should have been 4-0 after Mlungwana aimlessly brought down Maswanganyi but they were let off the hook as Mabasa saw his spot kick saved by Arrows goalie just before half-time.   

Having missed the penalty, Mabasa wasn’t denied the brace, rolling the ball into the empty following a good cross by Thabiso Lebitso in the 51^st minute.   

It was 5-0 for Pirates in the 75^th minute, with Mthethwa heading onto the empty net after Mlungwana lost his footing inside the box. Nguse pulled one back later Arrows, but it was mere consolation before Mabasa completed his first career hat-trick. Kimvuidi clipped the post before the ball rolled in for the seventh goal.