The wait is almost over. The highly anticipated boxset for the groundbreaking docuseries Giants will be available for binge-watching on Showmax this Friday, 5 September.
Produced by SuperSport in collaboration with the award-winning film company T+W, Giants is a testament to the beautiful game, proudly bringing to life a story of faith, family, and football.
The first season offers a powerful and unprecedented look into one of South Africa’s most iconic football institutions, the Orlando Pirates Football Club.
Over five emotional and captivating episodes, the series chronicles the behind-the-scenes events of the Buccaneers’ 2024-25 season, granting fans exclusive access to the inner workings of their beloved team.
The response to the series has been nothing short of phenomenal, with audiences connecting not just with the game, but with the raw human stories that power it.
Giants co-director Luthando Tshaya and co-producer Siyanda Manzini say this was exactly the response they were hoping for.
“The response has been overwhelming in the best way,” says Tshaya. “People have really connected with the series, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
For Tshaya, the most powerful part of the experience was witnessing the players’ journeys firsthand.
“Watching them go from guarded to open, from uncertain to proud, that was beautiful, and it reminded me why we made Giants in the first place.”
He saw the players embrace the camera not for the crew, but out of a deep-seated love for their fans, realising that by sharing their stories they could forge a deeper bond that extends beyond the pitch.
Manzini echoes this sentiment, saying the positive response confirms their vision.
“I had hoped Giants would resonate beyond the pitch, and it’s been affirming to see people talk about how personal and emotional the series feels.”
She adds that the goal was to show that “Orlando Pirates is more than a football club; it’s an identity, it’s community, a family, and it’s a mirror of us as a country. The series didn’t just entertain, it reminded people that this is more than football – it’s family.”
The docuseries was also always intended to reach a broader audience, says Manzini.
“Football fans are naturally drawn to the series, but Giants was always about more than matchday. It’s about people, relationships, ambition, and the price of greatness. Those are universal themes that anyone can connect with, whether or not they follow the sport.”
Tshaya adds that it was especially important to show the communities, struggles, and backgrounds that shaped these players, as those stories are bigger than football.
Both creators highlight the importance of challenging perceptions.
“Too often players are judged on their last performance,” Tshaya explains. “We forget they are human beings with doubts and pressures. Giants aims to give athletes the space to be human, and to remind people that there’s no football without family. And most importantly, there’s football with the prayers of the family, the mothers, fathers, grandparents, and communities, who keep our faith going. This is the heartbeat of the game, and Giants wanted to remind people of that truth.”
Manzini and Tshaya hope the series contributes to a larger cultural shift in how athletes are portrayed.
“Audiences are craving real stories, not just highlight reels,” says Manzini.
Tshaya believes it’s a way of saying: “Our stories are rich, layered, and worth documenting properly. It’s time our football history is told in full, not as side notes, not as pieces here and there, but as the powerful, complete stories they really are.”
They wanted South African stories to be part of this global conversation.
And for those who have yet to dive in, Tshaya says viewers can expect a truly immersive experience. “They can expect to see football in a way they probably haven’t before. Yes, there are matches and rivalries, but it’s really about people, their fears, their dreams, their roots. It’s emotional, it’s raw, and hopefully it leaves you feeling something real.”
The future of Giants is already being discussed.
When asked about a second season, Manzini hints at bigger things to come.
“All I can say is that the appetite is there from audiences and from us as a team. We’re in conversations, and if there is a season two, it will be even bigger in scope, shining a light on other giants of the game.”
About Showmax
Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 markets across the continent, is a leading African streaming service. It offers a unique combination of original African content, first and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries, and the best kids’ shows, as well as a world-first Premier League live-streaming mobile plan.
