Will we see a record number of amateur teams in the Nedbank Cup last 16 year?

What makes the Nedbank Cup different from all other knockout competitions in South African football is the entry of amateur teams from the SAFA structures, adding charm and the opportunity for David v Goliath upsets that provide the magic of the cup.

There have been plenty down the years, stories that are now part of South African football folklore – Baroka FC defeating Kaizer Chiefs in 2011, and Maluti FET College ousting Orlando Pirates two years later, are just two examples.

There will be opportunity this time around as well, when third-tier Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila take on Orlando Pirates on 7 February in Durban (3pm kick-off).

That is the only Last 32 fixture where a side from the amateur ranks faces a top-flight team, but several others have an excellent chance to advance.

We are guaranteed at least two SAFA teams in the Last 16 as CR Vasco da Gama and Luthuli Brigades FC clash at Athlone Stadium on 6 February (7pm kick-off), and FC Cardinals host Jacksa Spears at Goble Park Stadium the following day (3pm kick-off).

But can any others join them?

Aside from TTM taking on Pirates, Army Rockets welcome second-tier Casric Stars to Rustenburg on 7 February (3pm kick-off), and Mkhambathi FC host Lerumo Lions in Pietermaritzburg the following day (3pm kick-off).

The last of the amateur sides in action will be SSU M17 FC as they host second-tier Milford FC at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on 10 February (7pm kick-off).

The record for the greatest number of SAFA teams to reach the Nedbank Cup Last 16 is four, which has happened on two occasions.

In 2022, Summerfield Dynamos defeated second-tier Uthongathi, while Sinenkani FC ousted 2018 winners Free State Stars. The other two third-tier sides to reach the Last 16 earned their spots with wins over clubs from the same level, as Black Eagles edged FC Sivutsa and Mathaithai won away at NC Pros.

That matched the record set in 2020, when four teams from the amateur ranks also advanced from the Last 32 – Hungry Lions, who have since become a second-tier club, Happy Wanderers, Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and Amavarara.

VUT made history as they became the first and only fourth-tier side to oust a top-flight team in the Nedbank Cup, edging Lamontville Golden Arrows on penalties following a 2-2 draw. They were beaten 2-0 by Sundowns in the next round.

Certainly gone are the days when we saw the likes of Sundowns’ 24-0 win over Powerlines FC in 2012, or Ajax Cape Town’s 9-1 victory against Mainstay United in 2015. Such blowout results are unlikely to happen again, given the steady increase in the standard set at amateur level.

At least one amateur team has reached the Last 16 in every year the Nedbank Cup has been played, bar 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic meant football was halted at that level and no teams entered.

With at least two teams set to advance in 2026, that record will be maintained.

The recent improvement says much about the level of players and coaching in the ABC Motsepe League in particular, which is clearly closing the gap and beginning to catch up with the professional ranks. Of the 29 third- or fourth-tier sides to reach the second round since 2008, only one has achieved this feat twice as an amateur team.

Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Mpheni Home Defenders defeated Cape Town third-tier side Clarewood JPM 3-0 to advance in 2023, and then ousted second-tier Hungry Lions in 2025. They lost in the Last 16 on both occasions.

Several amateur teams to have written their names into history have gone on to the professional ranks, most in the second tier.

But two, Baroka FC and Magesi FC, have since made it all the way to the top flight following their triumphs.

SAFA TEAMS TO REACH THE NEDBANK CUP LAST 16

2025: 1 – Mpheni Home Defenders

2024: 2 – Ravens FC, D’General

2023: 2 – Dondol Stars, Mpheni Home Defenders

2022: 4 – Summerfield Dynamos, Sinenkani FC, Mathaithai, Black Eagles

2021: 0*

2020: 4 – Hungry Lions, Happy Wanderers, Vaal University of Technology, Amavarara

2019: 1 – The Magic

2018: 2 – EC Bees, Steenberg United

2017: 2 – Acornbush United, Kwadukuza United