PIC: George Maluleke of Kruger United

As we celebrate 18 years of the Nedbank Cup, there have been six sides that have appeared in every season of South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition, and 155 clubs in total since 2008.
That list has been added to this year by debutants from the ABC Motsepe League, Free Agents FC (Gauteng), Lerumo Lions (North West), Mighty Eagles (Eastern Cape) and The Bees (Mpumalanga), and second-tier Kruger United, who also make their bow.
Nineteen clubs have appeared in 10 or more seasons of the Nedbank Cup, including the 2025 campaign, with those six teams having been ever-presents. 
AmaZulu, Kaizer Chiefs, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United are all appearing for the 18^th time having competed in every year.

Maritzburg United, now known as Durban City, are one shy of that, while Cape Town Spurs, mostly under the banner of Ajax Cape Town, are making their 16th appearance this year.
A huge total of 74 clubs have made only a single appearance, earning their place in the spotlight for one Nedbank Cup campaign, but never to be seen again. There is, of course, the chance they could come back in later years.
Some are no longer, like Northern Cape side Powerlines FC, who were beaten 24-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in 2012.   

Among this year’s SAFA teams, four have competed before – CR Vasco Da Gama (Western Cape), Mpheni Home Defenders (Limpopo), Sibanye Golden Stars (Free State) and Umvoti FC (KwaZulu-Natal).

TEN OR MORE NEDBANK CUP SEASONS SINCE 2008

Includes the 2025 campaign

AmaZulu - 18

Kaizer Chiefs - 18

Lamontville Golden Arrows - 18

Mamelodi Sundowns - 18

Orlando Pirates - 18

SuperSport United - 18

Maritzburg United/Durban City - 17

Ajax Cape Town/Cape Town Spurs - 16

Bloemfontein Celtic - 14

Free State Stars - 14

Moroka Swallows - 14

BidVest Wits - 13

Chippa United - 13

Polokwane City - 13

Black Leopards - 12

Platinum Stars - 11

Baroka - 10

Jomo Cosmos - 10

University of Pretoria - 10