The 2026 Nedbank Cup Last 32 will kick-off on Wednesday with two huge ties, the start of a journey that all 32 competing clubs hope will see them meet their ambitions.
South Africa’s ‘FA Cup’ is never short of drama and action, and this will certainly be true when amateur sides rub shoulders with the country’s elite clubs again this season.
Here is a reminder of the 16 ties in this round.
WEDNESDAY, 4 FEBRUARY
7pm kick-off: Mamelodi Sundowns v Gomora United – Loftus Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns once again face lower-league opposition in the Nedbank Cup, this time second-tier Gomora United. Sundowns have an exceptional record in such fixtures, remaining unbeaten in 23 matches against non-Premiership teams since the competition was rebranded in 2008.
They have won 22 of those ties outright, with their only blemish a penalty shootout win over University of Pretoria in 2024 after a 1-1 draw. Gomora are new to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and currently sit 13th, with three wins from 14 games.
7pm: Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs – Cape Town Stadium
This tie renews a rivalry that has become familiar over the past year. It is a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal, which Chiefs won 3-1, and follows a Carling Knockout clash earlier this season that Stellenbosch won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Chiefs also claimed a 2-0 away league win in the same period. The sides have now met 18 times overall, with Chiefs holding an 11-3 advantage and four draws. Chiefs have won all three previous Nedbank Cup meetings and eight of their 11 visits to the Cape Winelands.
FRIDAY, 6 FEBRUARY
7pm: Durban City v Chippa United – Chatsworth Stadium
An all-Betway Premiership fixture between mid-table Durban City and Chippa United. Chippa’s priority remains league survival, but the cup offers a chance to build confidence. The sides meet in the league in East London this past weekend, with Chippa winning 2-0. City won the reverse league fixture 1-0 at home in August.
7pm: CR Vasco da Gama v Luthuli Brigades – Athlone Stadium
Luthuli Brigades make their Nedbank Cup debut after a demanding qualification route that included a 1-0 win over Eastern Cape champions Mthatha Bush Bucks. Their opponents, CR Vasco da Gama, represent the SAFA Western Cape following the final round of provincial qualifiers, and will hope for better than last year in the Nedbank Cup when they lost 7-0 to topflight TS Galaxy in the last 32.
SATURDAY, 7 FEBRUARY
3pm: Highbury FC v Sekhukhune United – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Sekhukhune United were losing finalists in 2023 and are enjoying a strong league campaign under coach Eric Tinkler. Highbury FC, from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, have struggled for goals, scoring just 12 times in 17 league matches and winless in seven matches (D2 L5).
3pm: Upington City v Magesi FC – Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium
Upington City make their last 32 debut after several failed qualification attempts.
Magesi FC arrive as topflight opposition but are enduring a difficult season, sitting bottom of the Betway Premiership. They are, however, recent cup winners, having claimed the 2024 Carling Knockout with a final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
3pm: Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v Orlando Pirates – Moses Mabhida Stadium
This fixture brings together giants Orlando Pirates and third-tier Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila with a match that will be played in Durban. Pirates have reached the last three finals, winning in 2023 and 2024 before losing to Kaizer Chiefs in 2025. They will be cautious, having suffered a shock 4-1 defeat to third-tier Maluti FET College in 2013.
3pm: FC Cardinals v Jacksa Spears – Goble Park
FC Cardinals are the only fourth-tier side remaining and compete in the SAFA Thabo Mofutsanyana Regional League. Jacksa Spears, from the third tier, last appeared in the Nedbank Cup in 2013, when they exited at this stage following a 3-0 defeat to African Warriors.
3pm: Army Rockets FC v Casric Stars – Olympia Park
Army Rockets make their Nedbank Cup debut after qualifying through the North West provincial playoffs. They are top of their ABC Motsepe League Stream A. Casric Stars narrowly missed promotion to the topflight last season and again sit second in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
6pm: Lamontville Golden Arrows v Orbit College – King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium
An all-Premiership tie between two bottom-half sides. Golden Arrows were 3-0 winners in the only previous meeting between the teams, played earlier this season. Orbit College have struggled away from home, with one win, a draw and six defeats in eight away league matches.
SUNDAY, 8 FEBRUARY
3pm: TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants – Solomon Mahlangu Stadium
Both clubs have defied expectations to lift the Nedbank Cup. Galaxy famously won the competition in 2019 as a second-tier side, while Gallants were champions in 2021 and runners-up in 2022. Galaxy have won two of their 13 previous meetings with Gallants, the latest a 2-0 home win on January 21.
3pm: Hungry Lions v University of Pretoria – Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium
An all-second-tier clash between familiar opponents. Of 11 previous meetings, AmaTuks hold a narrow 4-3 advantage, with four draws. The sides have one Nedbank Cup win each from previous preliminary-round encounters.
3pm: Mkhambathi FC v Lerumo Lions – Harry Gwala Stadium
Mkhambathi return to the last 32 after a heavy defeat in 2023, losing 4-0 to Casric Stars. They again face second-tier opposition, with Lerumo Lions having purchased the Motsepe Foundation Championship status of Pretoria Callies before the season. Lions also featured in the Nedbank Cup last season but lost to Durban City in the Last 32.
6pm: Siwelele v Richards Bay – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium
Another all-Betway Premiership fixture. Just two points separate the sides in the league standings with Richards Bay ahead. Their previous meeting this season ended in a 0-0 draw in Bloemfontein.
TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY
7pm: SSU M-17 FC v Milford FC – Dobsonville Stadium
SSU M-17, from the ABC Motsepe League, face Milford FC, who currently top the Motsepe Foundation Championship and are pushing for promotion. SSU will want to use this opportunity to bring themselves to national attention.
7pm: Polokwane City v AmaZulu – Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
AmaZulu travel to Limpopo seeking to end a poor run against Polokwane City. Usuthu have not beaten City in their last five meetings and have never won in Limpopo. City claimed a 1-0 league win in Durban in November.