Orlando Pirates are determined to continue being the pacesetters in the Absa Premiership after putting the FIFA international break to good use.

Coach Ruud Krol ran the rule over some of his fringe players during friendly encounters and was pleased with the depth at his disposal.

The Soweto giants will tackle a confident Santos side on Saturday night and the Dutch mentor may choose to rest some of his Bafana Bafana stars in order to give the likes of Phenyo Mongala a chance in the first team.

"The coach was busy giving players on the fringe of selection a run in friendly matches against BidVest Wits and FC AK during the break. And the players that came into the side impressed," Pirates spokesman Mickey Modisane told SAPA.

"It is a nice sort of headache for the coach to know he has strong depth at the club.

"It was good to see the players that came in taking the opportunity to play well and stake their claims for a regular place in the starting line-up."

Meanwhile, former 'Bucs' striker Tyren Arendse admits that his Santos team-mates are set for a tough task. "It is going not going to be easy playing Pirates in their own backyard but anything is possible," he said.

"We enjoy playing against the so-called big teams and these are the challenges we look forward to."

Pirates are eager to pick up maximum points after being held to a stalemate by both Wits and Free State Stars in their previous two encounters.