Ahead of the final, we look back at the 10 best deciders in this competition since it was first played in 1982.
1992 - AmaZulu 3-1 Kaizer Chiefs
One of the most famous days in AmaZulu’s history as they took on the much more fancied Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup and returned home with a comprehensive win — which is, incidentally, also the last time they lifted a trophy! Usuthu scored through their star striker George Dearnaley, Ephraim Mwale and Simon Magagula. Johannes Phadime had equalised for Chiefs before Usuthu completed their famous win.
1994 - QwaQwa Stars 3-2 Hellenic
A five-goal thriller that ended in victory for QwaQwa Stars, who would later go on to change their name to Free State Stars and become a fixture in the South African topflight until their relegation in 2019. Bunene Ngaduane scored a brace and Meshack Tsotetsi netted in the first minute of extra-time to seal victory for the team. Hellenic’s goals came through David Peterson and Gerald Stober.
1998 - Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Chiefs won 2-1 on penalties
A game for the ages between the top two teams of the era, with the drama of a penalty shoot-out as Chiefs finally won 2-1 via Pollen Ndlanya’s kick in sudden death. Chiefs were ahead after just a minute as Thabo Mooki scored, but Sundowns equalised on 75 minutes when Joel Masilela blasted past Brian Baloyi. Alex Bapela put The Brazilians ahead in extra-time, but Siyabonga Nomvethe sent the game to penalties after he collected Neil Tovey’s long ball to make it 2-2.
2000 - Ajax Cape Town 4-1 Orlando Pirates
The first match between the two finished 1-1, but instead of going to penalties, there was a replay of the final — and it was a young, brash Ajax side who triumphed against the odds. They took an early lead through Brett Evans before further goals from Carlo Scott (two) and Jeremy Jansen sealed the unlikely triumph for a club who had only been formed a year earlier.
2001 - Kaizer Chiefs 5-0 Jomo Cosmos
For eight years this was the biggest winning margin ever in a South African cup final as Chiefs overwhelmed Jomo Cosmos, before Lamontville Golden Arrows took that mantle with their 6-0 thrashing of Ajax Cape Town in the 2009 MTN8 decider. Chiefs were simply too good for Ezenkosi as they took the lead in the first half through current assistant coach Arthur Zwane. Cosmos hung in until the final 20 minutes, when the AmaKhosi ran riot: Kenny Niemach added a second, Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) got two more, and Stanton Fredericks put the cherry on top with a fifth.
2006 - Silver Stars 3-1 Ajax Cape Town
Silver Stars would later become more popularly known as Platinum Stars but sealed a first major trophy win in fine style as they beat Ajax 3-1 in this decider thanks to a hat-trick from Simba Marumo. It remains the only hat-trick scored in the final of this competition. Serge Bageta got a late consolation for Ajax.
2010 - Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 Orlando Pirates
Chiefs were defending champions when they won back-to-back titles in 2010, thumping their arch-rivals Pirates in fine style. Striker Sthembiso Ngcobo scored in either half before winger Siphiwe Tshabalala added a third in front of a 90,000 crowd at FNB Stadium.
2014 - SuperSport United 3-2 Platinum Stars
One of the best cup finals in South African football history for drama. Stars took the lead through Robert Ng’ambi, but Clayton Daniels drew Matsatsantsa level with a penalty. The game went to extra-time and SuperSport went ahead with a second penalty from Daniels. Stars, who were defending champions, equalised via a thumping Mogakolodi Ngele volley from the edge of the area, before Ronwen Williams saved a penalty from Eleazar Rodgers. SuperSport went up the other end and got the winner via former Dikwena stalwart Thuso Phala.
2018 - Baroka FC 2-2 Orlando Pirates
Baroka won 3-2 on penalties
Pirates were heavy favourites going into this contest and expected to brush Baroka FC aside. The Buccaneers were not helped by a straight red card for midfielder Marshall Munetsi, and Jemondre Dickens opened the scoring for Baroka. Musa Nyatama drew Pirates level from close range. Mduduzi Mdantsane, now at Chiefs, netted a penalty to restore the Baroka lead, before Thembinkosi Lorch equalised for Pirates to send the game to penalties.
2014 – Magesi FC 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
One of the great cup final upsets in South African football history as minnows Magesi FC beat powerhouse Sundowns in the decider. The Brazilians took the lead through Iqraam Rayners and seemed on course for an easy win, but when Tshepo Kakora equalised just after halftime, it was game on. Delano Abrahams then scored the winner three minutes from the end for the most unlikely if triumphs.
