PIC:  Stellenbosch forward Iqraam Rayners sees his spot-kick saved in the 2023 semifinal

Stellenbosch FC will be appearing in a second successive Nedbank Cup semifinal this year when they host the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns at the Danie Craven Stadium on May 5.
Having beaten Sundowns at the quarterfinal stage last season, they will hope for a repeat, and that things go better than in their maiden semifinal appearance in 2023, to date the only visit to the last-4 for the relatively young club that was formed seven years ago.   

Here is a look back at how they have fared in 2023.

2023 – STELLENBOSCH FC 0-0 SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

After extra-time; Sekhukhune won 4-3 on penalties
The match finished goalless after extra-time and it was the visitors who held their nerve in the shootout to set up a first ever cup final for the club. It is quite incredible that the game saw no goals as both sides had several excellent chances to win it in the 120 minutes. Perhaps the best fell to Sekhukhune, but the home team managed to scramble in defence and keep them at bay. It was a game that could easily have finished 3-3 on another night, but the fact that neither could find that killer touch in the box got us to a penalty shoot-out. Both teams decided to change their starting goalkeepers for the penalty shoot-out. Stellies withdrew Lee Langeveldt and replaced him with Sage Stephens, while Sekhukhune took out Ivory Coast international Badra Ali Sangare and brought in Ntokozo Mtshweni, who had a grand total of two appearances last season before this game. But he came up trumps for them with two big saves. Sibusiso Vilakazi missed int her shoot-out for Sekhukhune, but Iqraam Rayners, who was top scorer in last year’s Nedbank Cup with six goals, missed his effort in the shootout along with Juan Ortiz.