The Carling Knockout quarter-finals promise drama and unpredictability this weekend, as South Africa’s most open cup competition continues without heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. With 11 different winners in the last 12 tournaments, the stage is perfectly set for another surprise story. While Orlando Pirates remain the biggest name left in the draw, their past struggles in this competition leave room for smaller clubs to dream big. Here’s a complete breakdown of the quarter-final matchups.
Richards Bay vs Durban City
Saturday, 25 October – 15:00
The KwaZulu-Natal derby kicks off the quarter-final action with two unpredictable teams chasing consistency. Richards Bay will look to rediscover their home form after a shock 2-1 defeat to Orbit College, while Durban City hope to end their five-game winless run on the road. City may boast the stronger squad on paper, but Richards Bay’s home advantage could prove decisive. This clash marks the first-ever meeting between the two sides — and it’s shaping up to be a tightly contested affair.
Lamontville Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy
Sunday, 26 October – 15:00
Both Golden Arrows and TS Galaxy enter this tie looking to bounce back from disappointing league defeats. The numbers suggest a potential goal-fest: Arrows have both scored and conceded 13 goals in 10 league games, while Galaxy’s tally sits at 14 for and 11 against. History favors Galaxy, who lead the head-to-head 6–1 with five draws, but Arrows’ recent home record — five wins from their last six — could swing the balance. Their only home defeat this season came against Kaizer Chiefs, meaning confidence will be high at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
Orlando Pirates vs Magesi FC
Tuesday, 28 October – 19:00
With Orlando Pirates engaged in CAF Champions League action over the weekend, their Carling Knockout tie against Magesi FC has been shifted to Tuesday night. The matchup carries extra spice — it’s a rematch of last year’s round of 16 shocker, when Magesi stunned the Buccaneers 3–2 before going on to win the title in a fairy-tale run. Pirates, on a nine-match winning streak domestically, will be desperate for revenge and redemption after trailing St Eloi Lupopo in their continental campaign. Magesi, however, won’t be pushovers, having secured back-to-back wins to climb out of their early-season slump.
Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch FC
Wednesday, 29 October – 19:00
Stellenbosch FC, the defending champions, travel to Bloemfontein for a tricky encounter with Marumo Gallants. Stellies recently rediscovered their attacking spark with a thrilling 4–3 victory over Golden Arrows after four consecutive goalless draws. Gallants, meanwhile, broke an eight-match winless streak with a crucial 2–1 win over Chippa United and are no strangers to giant-killing, having eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns via penalties in the previous round. Stellenbosch have only lost one of their last seven Carling Cup fixtures — ironically, a 1–0 defeat to Gallants last season — setting the stage for a fascinating rematch.
The Road Ahead
With traditional powerhouses already out and several evenly matched sides remaining, the Carling Knockout continues to live up to its reputation for unpredictability. Whether it’s another fairy-tale run or a return to glory for a big name like Orlando Pirates, South African football fans are in for a thrilling quarter-final weekend.
