There have been some huge shocks down the years, including a victory for a fourth-tier side against Premiership opponents, and some of the biggest names in the game have come up short against minnow opposition.
Ahead of next week's kick-off of the 2026 edition, here are 11 instances in the past of teams from the SAFA structures ousting top-flight opponents.
14 April, 2010
Platinum Stars (0) 2 (Senamela 58, 73)
ALS Puk Tawana (2) 3 (Phetolo 12, Shongwe 34, 64)
Third-tier side ALS Puk Tawana secured a major scalp when they beat Platinum Stars in a North West Province derby in the first round in 2010. The lower-league side, a feeder team for Premiership Mamelodi Sundowns, stunned their hosts with two first-half goals from Lebepe Phetolo and Jabulani Shongwe. Stars got a goal back through Kagiso Senamela just before the hour mark and might have felt they were beginning to take control of the tie, before Shongwe netted his second to make the scoreline 3-1. The minnows might have been further ahead too, but Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini saved Buhlebuyeza Mkhwanazi’s penalty to add to the drama. Senamela scored again to complete his brace and set up a barnstorming final 17 minutes, but try as they might, Dikwena could not find a way through.
3 April, 2011
Baroka FC (0) 2 (Mashego 48, Moremi 80)
Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Leonard 74)
Unknown third-tier side Baroka FC had squeezed into the Last 16 with a victory over fellow minnows Mighty Mega Force, so not much was expected of them when they hosted top-flight Moroka Swallows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. But boy, would they surprise. They were packed with players who would go on to have stellar careers but were just making their way at the tiny Limpopo club. Baroka took the lead just after halftime through Katlego Mashego, but Swallows equalised 16 minutes from the end thanks to forward Auguston Leonard. It looked as though the momentum would swing in their favour after that, but Baroka stunned them again when substitute Mashilo Moremi put the home side ahead with his first touch. This was the first time a third-tier side had beaten Premiership opposition in the Last 16.
24 April, 2011
Baroka FC (1) 2 (Ndlovu 44, Mncwango 90)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Musona 36)
This match provided the biggest upset in South African football history at the time and is the first and only occasion Kaizer Chiefs have been beaten by third-tier opposition in their illustrious 54-year history. It continued the fairytale for minnows Baroka FC and made their players instant celebrities in the domestic game, as well as hugely raising the profile of coach Sello Chokoe. It all appeared to be going to plan for AmaKhosi as Zimbabwean hot-shot Knowledge Musona put Chiefs ahead in the 36th minute. Skipper Jimmy Tau raced down the right and crossed for Musona, whose left-footed strike hit the roof of the net. But Baroka were back on level terms just a minute before the break, veteran Sam Ndlovu heading home from a corner to stun the visitors. Chiefs had numerous opportunities in the second half to secure the win but, after a litany of misses, were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal. Baroka striker Thobani Mncwango bundled the ball home in injury time after a melee in the box to complete the greatest victory in the club’s short history. This remains the only time a third-tier side has beaten Premiership opposition in the quarter-finals.
23 February, 2013
Maluti FET College (2) 4 (L Mokoena 1, 56, Rantabane 25, 81)
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Manyisa 59)
Third-tier Maluti FET College then produced what is arguably still today the greatest-ever cup shock in South African football, given the quality of the opposition. The Free State side convincingly defeated 2011 Nedbank Cup champions Pirates in what is arguably a bigger surprise than Baroka FC’s 2011 quarter-final win over Kaizer Chiefs. Maluti were ahead in just 47 seconds, Lucky Mokoena collecting a pass to score his first of the afternoon. Mashale Rantabane made it two when he headed home a free-kick, before Lucky Mokoena got his second with a looping header over Senzo Meyiwa, leaving the Buccaneers stunned. Mokoena had a chance for a hat-trick when the home side were awarded a penalty, but he could not get power on his shot and the opportunity was wasted. Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa pulled a goal back from Happy Jele’s square ball, but Rantabane headed home with nine minutes remaining to secure a famous result. Maluti proved the result was no fluke by winning promotion to the National First Division at the end of the season.
27 February, 2013
AmaZulu (0) 1 (Malongoane 60)
Tembu Royals (1) 2 (Mofokeng 22, Ginya 47)
Eastern Cape third-tier side Tembu Royals stunned top-flight AmaZulu in the Last 32 with a 2-1 victory in Durban to write their name into the history books. Sechaba Mofokeng put them ahead as he picked up a poor clearance and fired the ball into the back of the net in the first half. It was a deserved lead at the break and they doubled that advantage when Zukisa Ginya headed home a second shortly after the interval. AmaZulu tried to get back into the game and, after Willem Mwedihanga’s header hit the post, Joseph Malongoane did reduce the deficit. They were almost level when the latter’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar but bounced out instead of in, and Royals were able to celebrate a famous victory.
21 February, 2015
After extra time; Natal United won 4-2 on penalties
A game of few chances had to be settled via penalty kicks as third-tier Natal United stunned Ernst Middendorp’s Chippa United. The match was played at the Wolfson Stadium, an unusual home ground for Chippa, and it proved an unlucky one as they could not find the back of the net. After no goals in the 120 minutes, the game went to spot-kicks and it was the minnow side who held their nerve, with goalkeeper Nkosigiphile Zondi, who would later have a brief spell with Royal Eagles, proving the hero.
11 March, 2017
KwaDukuza United (1) 2 (Zondi 9, Khumalo 71)
Ajax Cape Town (1) 2 (Makua 1, Nxumalo 62)
After extra time; KwaDukuza won 4-3 on penalties
KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe League side KwaDukuza United wrote their names into Nedbank Cup folklore with a shock victory over top-flight Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs), although they did need penalties to finish the job. The lower-league side showed great mental strength to twice come from behind and take the game to spot-kicks, where they eventually triumphed 4-3. Ajax had looked on course when Neo Makua put them ahead inside the first minute, but shortly afterwards the confident home side responded via striker Lungelo Zondi, who has National First Division experience with Real Kings and had also been part of the Natal United side that beat top-flight Chippa United in 2015. Ajax were back in front just past the hour mark through forward Prince Nxumalo, but once again they could not hold onto their lead as former African Warriors and Mthatha Bucks midfielder Khulu Khumalo equalised. That was the way it stayed, and United sealed victory in the shootout, another notable scalp for coach Thami Ngubane.
12 March, 2017
Acornbush (1) 1 (Nkosi 42)
Cape Town City were in their first season as a club and had already picked up the Telkom Knockout trophy as they travelled to Mpumalanga to face third-tier Acornbush, who were coached by MacDonald Makhubedu. It was expected to be a routine assignment but, cheered on by a vociferous home crowd, the home side grabbed the win. Mduduzi Nkosi scored the winner three minutes before halftime and City, despite playing a strong line-up, could not respond. Their first-ever Nedbank Cup experience proved a chastening one.
9 February, 2020
Vaal University of Technology (1) 2 (Mawelewele 4, Hlongwane 88)
Lamontville Golden Arrows (1) 2 (Mokondo 11 og, Gumede 86)
After extra time; VUT won 6-5 on penalties
This is the first and only time a team from the fourth tier of South African football has ousted opposition from the top flight. VUT took a shock lead after four minutes through Thakalane Mawelewele but were soon pegged back when captain Sibusiso Mokondo put the ball into his own net. All that happened in the first 11 minutes. Golden Arrows looked to have sealed the victory as Michael Gumede netted with four minutes remaining, but VUT were not about to give up and equalised soon afterwards through Reitumetse Hlongwane. Neither team could find a winner in the extra 30 minutes and the game went to spot-kicks, where Lindokuhle Mtshali was the unlucky player to miss for the Premiership side. That set off wild celebrations among the Students, who also put up a good show in the next round but were beaten 2-0 by eventual winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
8 February, 2023
SuperSport United 1 (Nhlapo 18)
Dondol Stars 2 (Molefe 51, Monama 76)
SuperSport were forced to field a makeshift side against their Tshwane third-tier rivals with a number of injury concerns, especially in defence, where striker Thamsanqa Gabuza was used as an emergency centre-back. Matsatsantsa took the lead via fullback Siyabonga Nhlapo in the 18th minute and then created a number of opportunities to double their advantage that were spurned. Stars came out firing in the second half and drew level as a swift break led to a chance for Relebogile Molefe, the striker scoring at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by home keeper Ricardo Goss. Stars then appeared the most likely to score next and their attacking mindset was rewarded when skipper Kholofelo Monama saw his effort deflected into the back of the net. After that, SuperSport were on the front foot, but a mixture of poor finishing and excellent saves from Gumede saw them slip to a Last 32 defeat, the first time they have lost to amateur opponents.
8 March, 2023
Dondol Stars 1 (Fox 60)
AmaZulu 1 (Ekstein 54)
After extra time; Stars won 5-4 on penalties
Stars showed their Last 32 win was no fluke as they displayed ample resilience again to defeat AmaZulu 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Gabadinho Mhango missed for Usuthu in the shootout, his shot saved by former SuperSport development goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede, who for the second round in a row put in a match-winning performance. AmaZulu largely dominated the encounter and would have had a more comfortable night had they not twice struck the woodwork. First, it was Mhango’s shot that crashed back off the post before Ethan Brooks struck the crossbar in extra time. Stars held out well until 10 minutes into the second period, but a wild clearance straight to an AmaZulu player allowed Rally Bwalya to run at the defence and lay the ball off for Pule Ekstein to score. The joy was short-lived, however, as the Stars equalised six minutes later with a goal that took the game to extra time. Usuthu goalkeeper Jody February could not hold Revaldo Fox’s header from a corner, allowing the latter to poke the ball into the back of the net from the rebound.