The Cape Winelands side claimed victory at Danie Craven Stadium on August 16 thanks to first-half strikes from Enyinnaya Godswill in the 23rd minute and Devin Titus in the 34th. That result marked Stellenbosch's first home win in this fixture and the only triumph by more than a single goal across their meetings.

Head-to-head, the teams have clashed 10 times in all competitions, with just three wins in open play, Stellenbosch claiming two, Sekhukhune one, and seven draws (one decided on penalties).

Stellenbosch are unbeaten in their last six encounters (W2 D4), while Sekhukhune's sole victory came in a 1-0 league away win on January 14, 2023. Five of the seven draws ended 1-1, and both 0-0 stalemates occurred with Stellenbosch as hosts. This is their third cup meeting; in the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup semi-final, Sekhukhune advanced 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in extra time.

Recent form adds intrigue: both sides scored three goals and conceded two in their MTN8 quarter-finals, rallying after falling behind to secure wins.

Sekhukhune have shown resilience in the league, defeating Orlando Pirates in their opener, followed by victories over TS Galaxy and a 3-0 thrashing of Orbit College midweek.

Stellenbosch, who won the Carling Knockout last season but lost the MTN8 final to Pirates, are chasing silverware again.

Key threats abound:

For Sekhukhune, striker Chibuike Ohizu stands out as the fixture's top scorer with four goals, accounting for a quarter of all 16 goals scored between the teams.

Wingers Keletso Makgalwa and Vusumzi Mncube, plus finisher Bradley Grobler, add firepower.

Stellenbosch's danger men include winger Devin Titus, whose pace and creativity unlocked the first leg, and defender Enyinnaya Godswill, a goal-scoring presence from the back.

Coaches Steve Barker and Eric Tinkler bring a storied rivalry, with Barker victorious in eight of their 13 meetings (Tinkler two wins, three draws). Barker is unbeaten in the last nine (W8 D1), including six straight wins.

"We’re looking forward to another exciting challenge," Barker said. "We started the first leg well and achieved our objective of scoring and not conceding... but we are aware that the game is only halfway done. Sekhukhune are a very good team, they are showing that in their league form, and they will have the same ambitions of reaching a final. We’ve got to be positive and take the game to Sekhukhune."

Tinkler, who lifted the MTN8 with SuperSport United in 2017, remains defiant despite the deficit. "I try to treat this game as the second half of the tie, and turn it around like we did against TS Galaxy," he said, recalling their 3-2 quarter-final comeback from 2-0 down. "We obviously have to take more risks in attack, be braver on the ball, and more assertive going forward... Most importantly, you need to stay positive, go out there, and try to get that early goal."

"I think it would be massive to reach a cup final," Tinkler added. "That’s the target we set at the beginning of the season: to try and go all the way... For a club like Sekhukhune, winning a cup would add a piece of history."

Neither team has won the MTN8, heightening the stakes in this gripping showdown.

MTN8: Stellies eye third final charge as Sekhukhune eye second leg comeback