PIC: Sandile Mthethwa with his Man of the Match award against Mighty Eagles

When Sandile Mthethwa scored a hat-trick for AmaZulu in their 5-1 victory over Mighty Eagles in the Nedbank Cup Last 32, he wrote a piece of history for himself.
He became the first defender to net a treble in the competition since it became the Nedbank Cup in 2008, and the first member of the back four in the competition as a whole since Gary McNab for BidVest Wits against Phoenix City in 1999.   

The centre-back was making his first start for AmaZulu since joining from Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the season and headed in his first from close range when he reacted quickest to a high ball into the box, beating the goalkeeper to the ball.
His second came from a corner as he rose highest against a statistic Mighty Eagles defence and powered his header into the back of the net.

When Usuthu were awarded a penalty late on, Mthethwa took the chance to complete his hat-trick, firing the spot-kick into the top corner with aplomb.
The 27-year-old Mthethwa started his professional career at Richards Bay, before later moving to Chippa United and then Pirates. He never quite managed to command a starting berth with The Buccaneers, though did famously score the extra-time winner for them against Kaizer Chiefs in the 2023 Nedbank Cup semifinals.

He made three appearances as they lifted the trophy that year and two more when they won in 2024. He also helped Chippa to the semifinals in 2021. Five of his 12 career goals in all competitions have come in the Nedbank Cup.

It is the first hat-trick of this year’s Nedbank Cup and the first ever by a defender. It is just the fourth from a topflight player since 2016 after there had been a barren five years up to 2021, when Tashreeq Morris netted a treble for Cape Town Spurs against Bloemfontein Celtic. He will hope to do the same for new club Kaizer Chiefs.

Peter Shalulile got one for Mamelodi Sundowns against Marumo Gallants in 2023, and Gaston Sirino for Sundowns against La Masia in 2024.
In all there have been 19 hattricks by top-flight players in the now 18 seasons of the Nedbank Cup.

Former Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana holds the record for most goals scored in a game when he managed seven against Powerlines FC as The Brazilians won 24-0 in 2012. Nyasha Mushekwi got six that day and the late Richard Henyekane five.

Daine Klate scored four for Wits against Magesi FC in 2016, and Abbas Amidu got four for Black Leopards against Cape Town All Stars in 2013 
 
HAT-TRICKS BY TOPFLIGHT PLAYERS IN THE NEDBANK CUP
2008 (L32): Dumisani Ngwenya (AmaZulu vs Young Ones)

2008 (L32): Siyabonga Mkhwanazi (AmaZulu vs Young Ones)

2008 (L16): Collins Chabalala (Free State Stars vs Ikapa Sporting)

2008 (QFL): Mpho Maleka (AmaZulu vs Black Leopards)

2010 (L32): Sthembiso Ngcobo (Free State Stars vs Tower United)

2011 (L32): Ayanda Dlamini (AmaZulu vs Real Madrid)

2012 (L32): Nyasha Mushekwi (Mamelodi Sundowns vs Powerlines FC)

2012 (L32): Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns vs Powerlines FC)

2012 (L32): Richard Henyekane (Mamelodi Sundowns vs Powerlines FC)

2012 (L16): Lehlohonolo Majoro (Kaizer Chiefs vs Black Leopards)

2013 (L32): Abbas Amidu (Black Leopards vs Cape Town All Stars)

2014 (L32): Musa Nyatama (Bloemfontein Celtic vs University of Stellenbosch)

2015 (L32): Siphelele Mthembu (Kaizer Chiefs vs Edu Sports)

2016 (L32): Bhongolwethu Jayiya (Mpumalanga Black Aces vs United Rovers)

2016 (L16): Daine Klate (BidVest Wits vs Magesi FC)

2021 (L32): Tashreeq Morris (Cape Town City vs Bloemfontein Celtic)

2023 (L16): Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants)

2024 (L32): Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns vs La Masia)

2025 (L32): Sandile Mthethwa (AmaZulu vs Mighty Eagles)