| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Dates | 3 October 2025 – 6 December 2025 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Orlando Pirates |
| Runners-up | Marumo Gallants |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 15 |
| Goals scored | 37 (2.47 per match) |
The 2025 Carling Knockout Cup was the third season of the South African soccer competition, the Carling Knockout Cup, under its new sponsored name. It was organised by the Premier Soccer League and Carling and ran from 3 October to 6 December 2025. Orlando Pirates were crowned champions after defeating Marumo Gallants in the final with Relebohile Mofokeng netting the winner in extra time thus Orlando Pirates 1st league cup title in more than 10 years and their second in the competition's history.
Teams
The teams consisted of the 16 teams from the 2025–26 South African Premiership.
Results
Round of 16
Durban City v Polokwane City
| 3 October 2025 (2025-10-03) | Durban City | 4–1 (a.e.t.) | Polokwane City | Chatsworth Stadium, Chatsworth |
| 19:00 SAST | Gcaba  12' 111' 114'Mkhize 93' |
Report | Nkaki 88' (pen.) |
Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United
| 4 October 2025 (2025-10-04) | Golden Arrows | 3–1 | Sekhukhune United | King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium, Durban |
| 19:00 SAST | Karlese 57' Maxwele 64'Jiyane 72' |
Report | Grobler 45+1' |
Orlando Pirates v Siwelele
| 4 October 2025 (2025-10-04) | Orlando Pirates | 1–0 | Siwelele | Orlando Stadium, Soweto |
| 15:00 SAST | Mbokazi 87' |
Report |
Orbit College v TS Galaxy
| 4 October 2025 (2025-10-04) | Orbit College | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | TS Galaxy | Olympia Park, Rustenburg |
| 15:00 SAST | Report | Ouamri 109' |
Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants
| 4 October 2025 (2025-10-04) | Mamelodi Sundowns | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (6–7 p) | Marumo Gallants | Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville |
| 20:00 SAST | Report | |||
| Penalties | ||||
Allende  Basadien Modiba  Shalulile Santos Mokoena Morena Khoza Lebusa |
||||
Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs
| 5 October 2025 (2025-10-05) | Stellenbosch | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | Kaizer Chiefs | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town |
| 15:00 SAST | Report |
Richards Bay v Chippa United
| 5 October 2025 (2025-10-05) | Richards Bay | 4–1 | Chippa United | Richards Bay Stadium, Richards Bay |
| 15:00 SAST | Report |
AmaZulu v Magesi
| 5 October 2025 (2025-10-05) | AmaZulu | 2–3 | Magesi | Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban |
| 17:30 SAST | Report |
In the Chiefs-Stellenbosch game, shortly before fulltime and penalties with the game tied 0–0, Chief's goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari refused to be substituted for Bruce Bvuma. Ntwari saved one penalty, but Chiefs ultimately lost the shootout, and stated that they would address the situation internally.[6]
Quarter-finals
Richards Bay v Durban City
| 25 October 2025 | Richards Bay | 3–1 (a.e.t.) | Durban City | Richards Bay Stadium, Richards Bay |
| 15:00 SAST | Mutizwa 84' Mbulelo 100'Mahala 120' |
Mokwena 52' |
Golden Arrows v TS Galaxy
| 26 October 2025 | Golden Arrows | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | TS Galaxy | King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi |
| 15:00 SAST |
Orlando Pirates v Magesi
| 28 October 2025 | Orlando Pirates | 2–1 | Magesi | Orlando Stadium, Soweto |
| 19:00 SAST | Moremi 51' Makgopa 87' |
Mokone 90+5' |
Marumo Gallants v Stellenbosch
| 29 October 2025 | Marumo Gallants | 4–0 | Stellenbosch | Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium, Bloemfontein |
| 19:00 SAST |
Semi-finals
Richards Bay v Orlando Pirates
| 8 November 2025 | Richards Bay | 0–1 | Orlando Pirates | Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban |
| 15:00 SAST | Report | Moremi 42' |
Golden Arrows v Marumo Gallants
| 9 November 2025 | Golden Arrows | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p) | Marumo Gallants | King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi. |
| 15:00 SAST |
Final
Orlando Pirates v Marumo Gallants
| 6 December 2025 | Orlando Pirates | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Marumo Gallants | Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane |
| 18:00 SAST | Mofokeng 105' |
Report | Referee: Makalima |
References
- Rabothe, Tshepo (3 July 2025). "SuperSport confirm status sale to Siwelele FC". FARPost. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- "South Africa 2024/25". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- Vardien, Tashreeq. "Little-known Orbit College FC seal dream promotion to PSL top flight as CT City relegated". News24. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- bulesitutshana (12 June 2025). "Durban City aim to grow fan base after promotion". The Witness. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- Vardien, Tashreeq. "Ntwari's rebellion act: Chiefs to address chaotic substitution mix-up 'internally'". News24. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- Dube, Mthokozisi (26 September 2025). "Venue and Date details for Carling Knockout Round of 16". FARPost. Retrieved 6 October 2025.https://farpost.co.za/2025/09/26/venue-and-date-details-for-carling-knockout-round-of-16/
- Raophala, Mauwane (5 October 2025). "Carling Label Knockout quarter-final matchups confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- Raophala, Mauwane (29 October 2025). "PSL confirm Carling Knockout semi-finals draw". Farpost. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- Madyira, Michael (31 October 2025). "Pirates & Co. learn Carling Knockout semi-finals fixture details". Farpost. Retrieved 31 October 2025.