Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns: Who has appeared in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals the most times?

Casric Stars, Durban City, and Milford FC are all making their debut at this level, whereas TS Galaxy is set for their second outing following their remarkable debut victory in 2019 when they claimed the title as a team from the second division.

In this season's semi-finals, Galaxy will face second-division Milford at home, and Durban City will host Casric Stars, another outfit from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

This lineup feels quite unusual for the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, a stage where one of the so-called 'Big 3' has typically been present, particularly in more recent editions.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs together boast 23 semi-final spots across the 19 years of the Nedbank Cup.

Out of 72 available semi-final positions, these three teams have secured 32% of them.

Sundowns top the list with 10 appearances, including six triumphs. They were eliminated on penalties by AmaZulu in 2010, alongside losses to Maritzburg United in 2018, Marumo Gallants in 2021, and Kaizer Chiefs in 2025 from the previous season.

Their victories came against AmaZulu in 2008, Free State Stars in 2012, Vasco da Gama in 2015, BidVest Wits in 2020, Royal AM in 2022, and Stellenbosch FC in 2024.

Orlando Pirates have reached the semi-finals seven times and triumphed in each instance, showcasing exceptional reliability and composure under pressure.

Their initial semi-final run in 2011 saw them overcome Mpumalanga Black Aces, followed by successes against Maritzburg United in 2014, Free State Stars in 2016, Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2017, Kaizer Chiefs in 2023, Chippa United in 2024, and Marumo Gallants in 2025.

In comparison, Kaizer Chiefs' six semi-final berths have yielded only three successes, with wins over second-division United FC in 2013, Chippa United in 2019, and Sundowns in 2025, but defeats against BidVest Wits in 2014, Free State Stars in 2018, and Pirates in 2023.

Both Free State Stars and SuperSport United have made five semi-final appearances, while the somewhat surprising Chippa United has featured four times. However, they remain without a title, holding the record for most last-four finishes without claiming the cup.

Sides with three appearances include AmaZulu, Baroka FC, BidVest Wits, and Marumo Gallants.

Baroka's story stands out uniquely, as they are the sole team to have advanced to a Nedbank Cup semi-final from the third tier, and they have also achieved it from the second tier and the premier league.

Matching their feat seems improbable, yet not entirely out of reach.

TEAMS TO HAVE REACHED THE NEDBANK CUP SEMI-FINALS

10 times, Mamelodi Sundowns

7, Orlando Pirates

6, Kaizer Chiefs

5, Free State Stars, SuperSport United

4, Chippa United

3, AmaZulu, Baroka FC, Bidvest Wits, Marumo Gallants

2, Ajax Cape Town, Black Leopards, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Maritzburg United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Stellenbosch FC, TS Galaxy

1, Bloemfontein Celtic, Casric Stars, Durban City, Milford FC, Moroka Swallows, Platinum Stars, Pretoria Callies, Royal AM, Sekhukhune United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, United FC, University of Pretoria, Vasco da Gama