The round is scheduled to be played from 21–24 February, with the PSL to confirm the exact dates, venues and kick-off times in due course.
Here is a quick guide to the Last 16 clashes.
A KwaZulu-Natal derby between second-tier high-flyers Milford FC and third-tier Mkhambathi FC, who have reached this stage for the first time. The latter defeated another second-tier outfit in Lerumo Lions to book their Last 16 place. Milford will be favourites, but Mkhambathi will know all about what makes them tick.
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS vs STELLENBOSCH FC
An all-topflight clash between two wily old coaches in Golden Arrows’ Manqoba Mngqithi and Gavin Hunt of Stellenbosch FC. The Winelands club ousted Kaizer Chiefs at home in the previous round, while Abafana Bes’thende had a 3-0 win over Orbit College in a fixture played over two days after the original match was abandoned due to weather. Stellies won a 4-3 classic in the league earlier this season and have taken three of the last four matches between the pair.
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA vs SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
AmaTuks needed penalties to see off fellow second-tier side Hungry Lions in the last round and welcome topflight Sekhukhune United, who were beaten finalists in 2023. These two were Motsepe Foundation Championship rivals in the 2020/21 season before Sekhukhune won promotion. Both their fixtures that season ended in draws. AmaTuks were Nedbank Cup finalists in 2009 as a second-tier side but lost to Moroka Swallows.
JACKSA SPEARS vs CR VASCO DA GAMA
This tie ensures we will have at least one third-tier side in the quarter-finals for just the fourth time in Nedbank Cup history. Both beat ABC Motsepe League sides in the Last 32 and have now been drawn together to clash in the Northern Cape. The other amateur sides to reach the last eight were Baroka FC (2011), Summerfield Dynamos (2022) and Dondol Stars (2023).
TS GALAXY vs MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
These two had a bit of a rivalry going when Galaxy were led by coach Sead Ramovic and Sundowns by Rhulani Mokwena, and while that might have mellowed with new tacticians at the helm, this has the potential to be a feisty tie. The Rockets have enjoyed some success against Sundowns recently, winning when they met in the league a year ago. But overall Sundowns lead the head-to-head 8-2, with two draws. However, the Brazilians have not won on their last three visits to Mpumalanga province (D2 L1).
Both these sides needed penalties to advance from the Last 32, as second-tier Upington City host topflight Durban City, who will not be looking forward to the trip to the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. The teams met in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season before the Durban club’s promotion, with City winning both matches. Will they make it a hat-trick?
Another KwaZulu-Natal derby between Richards Bay and AmaZulu. These two have had some tense battles over the last few seasons and the record is pretty even. This will be a first-ever cup clash between the sides, with Richards Bay edging the head-to-head 3-2, with two draws. Usuthu have won two of the last three clashes though, including a 3-1 win at Richards Bay. They last met in November when Richards Bay won 2-0 at home.
ORLANDO PIRATES vs CASRIC STARS
Pirates draw lower-league opponents again in the form of Casric Stars, who are in second place in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Pirates are hoping to make history by becoming the first side to reach the Nedbank Cup final for the fourth year in a row, having won in 2023 and 2024 before a painful loss to Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in last season’s decider. This will be a first meeting between the sides.