Nedbank Cup semi-final preview

Both of this weekend’s Nedbank Cup semi-finals will see the home sides start as favourites, which should not be surprising given the positions they occupy in the football hierarchy. On Saturday, Durban City (5th in the Premiership) host Casric Stars, who are 15 places below them in the chain. Then on Sunday, TS Galaxy (11th in the Premiership), welcome Milford, who sit six places below them, but currently top the Motsepe Foundation Championship. We preview the semi-finals of a Nedbank Cup edition that has consistently delivered surprises.

Durban City v Casric Stars

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On paper, Durban City are many people’s favourites to progress to their first-ever final. The Casric Stars fairytale has seen them knock out the first and third best teams in the country (based on current league standings) in their own backyards. As if those challenges were not formidable enough, they now travel to face Durban City, who are fifth in the Premiership. City have been one of the biggest surprises in the top-flight this season, given they are a newly promoted side. Their home record is what has set them up for an impressive campaign. They are unbeaten at home in 2026 (P5 W3 D2 L0), and only Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have won away here all season.

Stars’ belief will be reinforced by the fact they are playing a familiar opponent, who, a year ago was in the same division as they are. Indeed, Stars beat City 1-0 just over a year ago, which is also the last time the two teams met. That scoreline will be more than enough on Saturday, and given how they played the long game (pragmatic football with an eye to extra time and penalties) in the last two rounds, we foresee the same here. Expect a slow burner in this one, particularly considering City’s goals record so far.

1 – Durban City have scored just one goal and conceded one goal in their Nedbank Cup campaign so far.

Team to progress: Durban City

Value bet: Under 2.5 goals

TS Galaxy v Milford

TS Galaxy are winless in seven league games, culminating in a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Orlando Pirates in their last match before the international break. Yet, despite their league struggles, they have continued to back Coach Adnan Beganovic, clearly with one eye on a Nedbank Cup competition that has opened up with every round. As serial Cup winners Orlando Pirates, defending champions Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns have fallen off along the way, the favourites tag seems to fit the Rockets. Remember, they are the team that eliminated Sundowns in the competition.

“We can save our season if we can win the Nedbank Cup…” – Beganovic to reporters recently.

Three wins, with three clean sheets is a testament to an efficient, if not brilliant, Cup campaign. Yet, in Milford, they come up against the current league leaders in the first division. They have already shown real maturity in their quarter-final win over Sekhukhune. Like their hosts, they’ve had patchy form lately, winning one of five games across all competitions. We reckon Galaxy may have more than enough to progress, especially when you consider that they are at home and their overall record in this competition.

71% – TS Galaxy have won 71% of their games in the Nedbank Cup (P21 W15), the best win rate of any team in this competition in PSL history.

Team to progress: TS Galaxy

Value bet: Both teams to score