Stellenbosch FC advanced to the semi-final of the 2026 Carling Knockout Cup after recording a dramatic 2-1 victory over AmaZulu on Sunday evening.

Having overcome Durban City in the Round of 16, Stellenbosch FC were tasked with the challenge of facing in-form AmaZulu in the last eight of the competition.

The tie began in frenetic fashion with Stellies’ Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Usuthu’s Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya both spurning big opportunities in the opening ten minutes.

An end-to-end affair ensued until the deadlock was broken shortly before the half-hour mark, when Chumani Butsaka latched onto a cross to volley the hosts ahead.

That lead was short lived, however, Mlondi Mbanjwa drew matters level for AmaZulu just four minutes later (later credited as an own goal to Gopolang Taunyana), and the scoreline remained unchanged until the half-time whistle.

In fact, it seemed as though neither side would find the winner in regulation time, but with extra-time and the prospect of a penalty shootout looming, there was a late twist to the tale.

With just seconds remaining, Luthando Vena won the ball on the edge of his own box and turned defence into attack with a raking pass to Kwayiba, who beat the ‘keeper but saw his effort blocked en route to goal by Taariq Fielies.

However, the referee deemed that Fielies’ intervention came off his hand and awarded a penalty, which Kwayiba duly stepped up to convert himself to hand Stellies a 97^th-minute winner at Danie Craven Stadium.

Stellenbosch FC starting XI: Garrow, Taunyana (57’ Nkwali), Vena, Msimango, Mashego, Butsaka, Blom, Matlou, Daniels (66’ Matsheke), Plaatjies (83’ Du Preez) & Kwayiba