Stellenbosch FC have been drawn away to Durban City in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16. The draw, conducted in Johannesburg, sets up a trip to KwaZulu-Natal for the club's opening match of the 2026-27 cup campaign. The exact date and kick-off time for the Durban City match are yet to be confirmed.
Coach Gavin Hunt acknowledged the challenge but pointed to his team's solid recent form. Stellenbosch are unbeaten in their last four Premier Soccer League matches, a run that includes a 1-1 draw away to Kaizer Chiefs last weekend. That result leaves them seventh in the standings with 10 points from eight games. Hunt, who has previous connections to the region, stressed the need for focus. "There's always been a real unpredictability about this Cup, and if you don't treat it with the respect it deserves, you'll come off second best," he said. He added that his squad is accustomed to playing on the road. "It's an away game, but we are used to playing away from home, and it's at a nice stadium, so I'm sure it will be a good game."
The club has a mixed record in the Carling Knockout. They were the inaugural winners in 2023, beating TS Galaxy on penalties. However, their defence ended at the quarter-final stage in each of the last two seasons, with Marumo Gallants knocking them out both times. The draw kept the league's heavyweights apart in the first round. Defending champions Orlando Pirates will host Milford FC, while MTN8 winners Mamelodi Sundowns face Marumo Gallants at home. Kaizer Chiefs also have a home tie against TS Galaxy.
The full last-16 lineup includes Kruger United vs AmaZulu, Golden Arrows vs Chippa United, Polokwane City vs Siwelele FC, and Sekhukhune United vs Richards Bay. Stellenbosch have recently added midfielder Lateef Adeyanju Kazeem to their squad ahead of the cup tie. Before the cup tie, the team's focus returns to league action with a home game against Chippa United on 30 October, a fixture that can be found on the club's fixtures list.
The report in full is at stellenboschfc.com
