PIC: Sekhukhune United will be looking to go one better than their Nedbank Cup final defeat in 2023

The magic of the Nedbank Cup is that it gives teams from the lower leagues the opportunity to rub shoulders with the country’s elite, and also to get their hands on a treasured piece of silverware with a rich history in the South African game.

The demise of defending champions Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns before the quarter-final stage this season has opened the door for a new name to be engraved on the trophy, or for a historic former winner to enjoy repeat success.

It is an unusual-looking quarter-final line-up without the so-called ‘Big Three’, but that will make for fascinating battles ahead of the round this coming weekend.

We look at the eight remaining clubs in the competition and their best finishes over the years as they seek to make history, not only by lifting the trophy, but also by claiming a place in the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2026/27 season.

AMAZULU

Best finish: Runners-up (1972, 1973, 1974, 1987, 1990, 2010)

Usuthu have famously reached the final of this competition six times but have never lifted the trophy, and will hope this is finally their year.

The last time they reached the decider was in 2010 against BidVest Wits. Although they lost 3-0, it was a tense contest in which The Clever Boys scored their goals very late on.

AmaZulu made three successive finals between 1972 and 1974, losing to Chiefs (1-4) and Pirates (2-5 and 0-1). They did not return to the final until 1987, when they again lost to Chiefs (0-1), with their fifth final coming three years later in a 0-1 defeat to Jomo Cosmos.

It was another 20 years before they reached the final again. They could now end a 16-year wait for another appearance in the decider in 2026 as they face second-tier Casric Stars in the quarter-finals.

CASRIC STARS

Best finish: Second round (2023)

This is already second-tier Stars’ best run in the Nedbank Cup after they reached the second round on debut in 2023.

They faced Chiefs there and, after a close contest, lost 2-1 to exit the competition.

It took them three years to return, but they have made a splash in 2026, defeating third-tier Army Rocket in the Last 32 before claiming a famous penalty shoot-out victory over Pirates in the second round.

They now face another tough tie away at AmaZulu as they look to keep their run going.

DURBAN CITY

Best finish: Quarter-finals (2025)

Though the club has the same owners as Maritzburg United, who reached the Nedbank Cup final in 2018 but lost to Free State Stars, they have been branded a new team following their relocation from Pietermaritzburg.

They are in the last eight for the second year in a row, having lost on penalties to Marumo Gallants in 2025 following a 0-0 draw while still a second-tier side.

They travel to city rivals Lamontville Golden Arrows in this season’s quarter-finals and will hope to advance.

JACKSA SPEARS

Best finish: First round (2013)

The Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League side are already on their best run, having become only the fourth third-tier team to reach the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after Baroka FC (2011), Summerfield Dynamos (2022) and Dondol Stars (2023).

They have beaten two fellow third-tier sides to get here, FC Cardinals (4-2) and CR Vasco da Gama (1-0), and now face former champions TS Galaxy.

Spears are in their second Nedbank Cup campaign. They debuted in 2013 but lost 0-3 to second-tier African Warriors.

LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS

Best finish: Semi-finals (2017, 2019)

Golden Arrows have twice reached the semi-finals but never progressed to the final, so the prospect of making history will excite the club.

Their first last-four appearance in 2017 ended in a narrow 0-1 loss to Pirates, but they returned two years later.

On that occasion, they were defeated 1-3 by second-tier TS Galaxy, who went on to claim a historic Nedbank Cup triumph. The tie went to extra time before The Rockets prevailed.

Golden Arrows must overcome Durban City to book another semi-final spot.

MILFORD FC

Best finish: Second round (2024, 2025)

Second-tier Milford are into the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals for the first time, having fallen one round short in each of the previous two seasons.

They debuted in 2016 while still a third-tier side but lost a Last 32 clash to Golden Arrows.

It took them eight years to return in 2024 and, after a stunning upset of Chiefs in the Last 32, they were beaten 1-6 by Stellenbosch FC in the second round.

They received a bye into the second round in 2025 after Royal AM could not fulfil their fixture, but then lost 1-2 to Sekhukhune United, the same team they face in this year’s quarter-finals.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

Best finish: Runners-up (2023)

Sekhukhune were finalists three years ago and took the lead in the decider against Pirates through Sibusiso Vilakazi, but were beaten by a late injury-time winner as The Buccaneers turned the match around.

It was a disappointment for the Limpopo club, but it also demonstrated their potential. They will seek a return to the final this year, and this time to engrave their name on the trophy.

They host second-tier leaders Milford FC in the quarter-finals.

TS GALAXY

Best finish: Winners (2019)

The only team in this year’s last eight with their name already on the trophy, Galaxy shot to national fame when they won the title seven years ago.

They were a second-tier side at the time and on debut in the Nedbank Cup, embarking on a thrilling run to the final where they faced Soweto giants Chiefs.

The match appeared destined for extra time with the scores locked at 0-0 until Galaxy were awarded a late penalty.

Striker Zakhele Lepasa, on loan from Chiefs’ rivals Pirates, stepped up and converted the spot-kick to make history.