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Carling Knockout Cup
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | |
| Founded | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Region |  South Africa |
| Teams | 16 |
| Current champions | Orlando Pirates (2nd title) |
| Most championships | Kaizer Chiefs (13 titles) |
| Broadcaster | •SuperSport •SABC Sport |
| Motto | Once Always[1] |
| Website | Carlingblacklabelcup.co.za |
 2025 Carling Knockout Cup | |
The Carling Knockout Cup is a South African professional soccer knockout competition which comprises the 16 teams in the South African Premiership. It is the third of the three main cups administered by the PSL along with the MTN 8 and the Nedbank Cup. The competition was first held in 1982 as the Datsun Challenge, and in 2023 under its current sponsored name.[2]
Format
[edit]The format used in this competition is the Knockout Stage phase.[3] The competition will be played by 16 teams in a single knockout match.
A winner is decided after full-time (90 minutes). If the two teams playing against each other are still tied after full-time, then the match will go through to extra time. If the score is still tied, then the match will go to penalties. The winner of the match must be decided on the match day.
After the conclusion of the competition, the winner will play against a best-XI voted by the fans. The All-stars team must consist of 6 players from the first tier league and 6 players from the second tier, and a coach voted on by the fans.
Sponsorship
[edit]The competition was established in 1982/1983 and was first known as the Datsun Challenge. Under the new NSL regime in 1984, it became known as the JPS Knockout Cup. It used this name until 1992 when it became known as the Coca-Cola Cup. It was sponsored by the drinks manufacturer until 1996, when it was replaced by the Rothmans Cup which was changed back to the Coca-Cola Cup in 2001 due to the new rules regarding tobacco sponsorship in sport. Telkom became the new sponsors in 2006 until 2020. The 2020/21 edition was cancelled after the loss of the main sponsor[4] and in August 2021 it was confirmed that the tournament would no longer be held, citing fixture congestion.[5] However the competition resumed in the 2023/24 season following a new sponsorship deal with alcoholic beverage company Carling Black Label, being renamed the Carling Knockout Cup.[6][7]
Competition history
[edit]Results by team
[edit]| Club | Wins | First final won | Most recent final won | Runners-up | Most recent final lost | Total final appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaizer Chiefs | 13 | 1983 | 2010 | 4 | 2015 | 17 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 4 | 1990 | 2019 | 5 | 2024 | 9¹ |
| Bidvest Wits/Wits University | 3 | 1985 | 2017 | 2 | 2011 | 5 |
| Orlando Pirates | 2 | 2011 | 2025 | 8 | 2018 | 10 |
| Ajax Cape Town | 2 | 2000 | 2008 | 2 | 2009 | 4 |
| Jomo Cosmos | 2 | 2002 | 2005 | 2 | 2001 | 4 |
| Platinum Stars/ Silver Stars | 2 | 2006 | 2013 | 2 | 2014 | 4 |
| Umtata Bush Bucks | 2 | 1993 | 1996 | 0 | – | 2 |
| Supersport United | 1 | 2014 | 2014 | 3 | 2016 | 4 |
| Bloemfontein Celtic | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 1 | 2017 | 2 |
| Arcadia Shepherds | 1 | 1982 | 1982 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Durban Bush Bucks | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 1 | – | 2 |
| AmaZulu | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Dynamos | 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Cape Town City | 1 | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Baroka | 1 | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Stellenbosch | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Magesi | 1 | 2024 | 2024 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Moroka Swallows | 0 | – | – | 2 | 1989 | 2 |
| Highlands Park | 0 | – | – | 1 | 1982 | 1 |
| Maritzburg United | 0 | - | - | 1 | 2019 | 1 |
| TS Galaxy | 0 | - | - | 1 | 2023 | 1 |
| Marumo Gallants | 0 | - | - | 1 | 2025 | 1 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Dan and Clinton set for emotional reunions after masterminding magical Carling CKO quarter-final wins". Bizcommunity. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
- ^ Kohler, Lorenz (10 October 2023). "Carling Knockout Explained As Draw Completed". iDiski Times. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ Tshwaku, Khanyiso. "Carling Knockout Cup muscles into Telkom Knockout space in 2023, announces PSL chair". Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Telkom Knockout cancelled for 2020/21 season". Kick Off. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "PSL chairman Irvin Khoza addresses Telkom Knockout replacement tournament". Kick Off. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ Tshwaku, Khanyiso. "Carling Knockout Cup muscles into Telkom Knockout space in 2023, announces PSL chair". Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Khoza Makes Huge Carling Black Label Cup Announcement". iDiski Times. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (18 December 2004). "Chiefs come out on top". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ^ "Cosmos win Coca-Cola Cup". IOL. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ "Telkom Knockout". flashscore.com. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ Tshwaku, Khanyiso (10 December 2016). "Cape Town City down SuperSport to win Telkom Knockout final". Times LIVE. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
- ^ "Telkom Knockout Final Report: Maritzburg United v Mamelodi Sundowns 15 December 2019". Soccer Laduma. 14 December 2019.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "Magesi shock Sundowns in Carling Knockout final". SuperSport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
External links
[edit]- Telkom Knockout Cup official website
- Premier Soccer League
- South African Football Association
- RSSSF competition history
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Carling Knockout Cup
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview and Format
Description and Significance
The Carling Knockout Cup is a premier single-elimination knockout tournament featuring the 16 professional football clubs of South Africa's Betway Premiership. Established in 1982, it operates as the country's domestic League Cup equivalent, with matches decided by a single leg, progressing through rounds of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final, resolved by extra time and penalties if necessary.[8][9] As one of South Africa's oldest cup competitions, the tournament holds significant cultural and competitive value in the nation's football landscape, fostering intense drama through its unpredictable knockout structure. It provides a vital platform for underdog teams to challenge and occasionally defeat established powerhouses like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns, with 10 different winners in the last 12 editions highlighting its reputation as a "happy hunting ground for minnows."[10] This format not only heightens fan engagement but also underscores the competition's role in promoting parity and excitement within the Premier Soccer League calendar. A distinctive feature of the modern iteration is the exhibition match following the final, where the champion faces a fan-voted All-Stars team comprising players selected from the Premier Division and Diski Challenge squads, blending top-tier talent with emerging prospects in a celebratory showdown known as the Carling Cup. The prize structure emphasizes rewarding performance at every stage, offering a winner's purse of R6.85 million alongside escalating payments for advancing teams—R2.85 million for runners-up, R1.35 million for semifinalists, R850,000 for quarterfinalists, and R550,000 for last-16 participants—plus R100,000 Man of the Match awards in each fixture, voted by supporters to amplify fan involvement.[11][12]Tournament Structure
The Carling Knockout Cup is open exclusively to the 16 teams competing in the Betway Premiership, South Africa's top-tier professional football league, with no participation from lower-division clubs and no byes granted to any entrants.[13][14] The tournament follows a single-elimination knockout format, beginning with the round of 16, which features eight matches to reduce the field to eight teams. This progresses to the quarter-finals (four matches), semi-finals (two matches), and culminates in a single final match, with the winner determined solely by the outcome of these one-off fixtures.[15][16] Each match consists of 90 minutes of regulation time under the standard Laws of the Game; if scores are level at the end, teams play two 15-minute periods of extra time (30 minutes total), followed by a penalty shootout if necessary, with no provision for replays to ensure all ties are resolved on the day.[15][16] The draw for the round of 16 is conducted live by Premier Soccer League (PSL) officials, using a seeded system to pair the top eight teams from the previous Betway Premiership season against the bottom eight, aiming to prevent early matchups between top sides. This involves three pots: Pot A for the eight seeds, Pot C for the eight unseeded teams, and Pot B to randomly assign home and away designations for each pairing. Subsequent draws for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are unseeded, with home advantage determined by the order of the draw.[14][15] Matches in the early rounds (round of 16 and quarter-finals) are typically hosted at the home team's nominated venue, providing a home advantage to the designated side, while later stages such as the semi-finals and final are held at neutral venues selected by the PSL organizing committee, often major stadiums like Moses Mabhida Stadium or Peter Mokaba Stadium. The competition is generally scheduled from October through December, aligning with the Betway Premiership season to minimize fixture congestion, and all games are broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC platforms for wide accessibility.[13][17][18]Sponsorship and Name Changes
Historical Sponsors
The Carling Knockout Cup, originally launched as the Datsun Challenge in 1982, was initially sponsored by the automotive company Datsun for its first two editions through 1983, providing the competition with its inaugural branding and helping establish it as a premier knockout tournament in South African football.[19][10] From 1984 to 1991, the tournament was sponsored by John Player & Sons (JPS), a cigarette brand under the British American Tobacco umbrella, and renamed the JPS Knockout Cup, which capitalized on the era's permissive tobacco advertising regulations to enhance visibility and draw larger crowds to matches during its formative years.[19][20] Coca-Cola took over sponsorship in 1992, rebranding the event as the Coca-Cola Cup until 1996; following the end of the Rothmans sponsorship in 2000 due to anti-tobacco laws, Coca-Cola resumed sponsorship from 2001 to 2005. This partnership emphasized youth development and community involvement, aligning with the company's support for grassroots soccer initiatives like school tournaments to foster emerging talent.[19][21] Rothmans, another tobacco company, sponsored the tournament from 1997 to 2000 as the Rothmans Cup, succeeding JPS and sustaining the event's prestige with significant prize money, though it faced increasing pressure from South Africa's evolving anti-tobacco advertising laws that ultimately led to the sponsor's withdrawal.[19][22] Telkom, a major telecommunications provider, sponsored the competition from 2006 to 2019 under the name Telkom Knockout, marking the longest sponsorship period and introducing innovations such as enhanced online engagement for draws and broader digital accessibility to boost fan participation.[19] This era saw prize money escalate substantially, with the total pool reaching R14.2 million in 2006 and the winner's prize climbing to around R4 million by the early 2010s, reflecting Telkom's commitment to elevating the tournament's financial stakes.[23][24] The partnership ended after the 2019 edition due to financial pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a hiatus until the 2023 revival.[25]Current Sponsorship
In 2023, Carling Black Label entered into a multi-year partnership with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to revive the Knockout Cup, renaming it the Carling Knockout Cup and committing an undisclosed multi-million rand investment to support the competition's return after a hiatus following the exit of previous sponsor Telkom.[5] This deal encompasses initiatives promoting responsible alcohol consumption, integrated into Carling's broader "Enjoy Responsibly" guidelines, which emphasize moderation and awareness during fan engagements and broadcasts.[26] Marketing efforts under the sponsorship focus on enhancing fan interaction, including integration with the separate Carling Black Label Cup—an invitational tournament featuring top PSL clubs—and title rights for an exhibition All-Stars match where supporters vote for the lineup via USSD, website, and social media platforms.[5] Additional engagement includes social media draws for prizes like match-day experiences and the "Fak’ iGoal Uzobona" promotion, awarding R90,000 for predicting early goals in matches to build excitement.[5] Financially, the sponsorship has boosted prize money to R6.85 million for the winner and R2.85 million for the runner-up in the 2025 edition, part of a R20.2 million total pool distributed across rounds, providing crucial stability to PSL clubs post-Telkom.[27] On a broader scale, Carling Black Label's alignment with the PSL extends to supporting Mamelodi Sundowns' participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup through sponsorship, amplifying global visibility for South African football.[28]History
Origins and Early Years (1982–2000)
The Carling Knockout Cup traces its origins to 1982, when it was launched as the Datsun Challenge by the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), South Africa's premier multi-racial domestic competition at the time. This mid-season knockout tournament was introduced to heighten excitement in the league calendar amid the constraints of apartheid-era football, which limited international participation due to global boycotts but allowed domestic events to flourish. The inaugural edition involved a field of around 16 teams, including professional and semi-professional clubs from the NPSL, and was structured as a straight knockout with some finals decided over replays or extra time.[10][29][30] Arcadia Shepherds claimed the first title in 1982, defeating Highlands Park 1-1 (a.e.t.) in the initial final before securing a 2-0 replay victory, marking a breakthrough for the Pretoria-based club in a competition that quickly gained traction. Kaizer Chiefs followed as winners in 1983 with a 2-1 triumph over Wits University, establishing early patterns of dominance by major urban sides. The tournament's format saw minor evolutions, such as occasional two-legged finals in later years, but remained focused on NPSL participants until the league's transition to the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1985. Under the JPS Knockout Cup branding from 1984 to 1991, key moments included Durban Bush Bucks' 1987 victory over Orlando Pirates in a dramatic three-match final series, ending 2-1 in the replay after tied legs.[10][19] The 1991 JPS edition produced one of the competition's earliest major upsets, as lower-tier Lenasia Dynamos defeated Giant Blackpool 1-0 in the final, showcasing the knockout format's capacity to elevate underdogs despite the involvement of semi-professional outfits alongside top professionals. Attendance surged during the JPS and early Coca-Cola Cup eras (1992–1996), with the 1986 JPS final between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows drawing an estimated 80,000 fans to Ellis Park Stadium, underscoring the tournament's growing appeal as a spectacle. AmaZulu's 3-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the 1992 Coca-Cola Cup final further highlighted regional diversity in winners.[31][32][10] Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the competition navigated political instability, including FIFA's ban on South Africa from 1961 to 1992, which isolated the sport internationally and indirectly pressured domestic structures to evolve amid anti-apartheid campaigns. Readmission to FIFA on 3 July 1992 enabled gradual professionalization, culminating in the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1996, which integrated the knockout into a more structured professional framework while phasing out significant semi-professional involvement. Kaizer Chiefs asserted increasing dominance in the late period, winning the Rothmans Cup in 1997 and 1998, setting the stage for the tournament's modern iterations.[30][19][10]Modern Era and Hiatus (2001–2023)
Following the establishment of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1996, the Coca-Cola Cup was revived in 2001 as an exclusive knockout competition for top-flight teams, marking a shift toward greater professionalization within South African football. This iteration emphasized high-stakes matches among PSL clubs, with Kaizer Chiefs emerging as dominant forces by securing victories in 2001 against Jomo Cosmos (5-0) and in 2003 against Silver Stars (2-0).[33][34] The tournament's structure during this period provided significant prize money and helped consolidate the PSL's role in organizing elite domestic cup competitions, fostering rivalries and boosting club revenues through gate receipts and broadcast deals.[19] In 2006, sponsorship transitioned to Telkom, rebranding the event as the Telkom Knockout Cup, which ran until 2019 and further entrenched its status as a premier PSL-exclusive knockout tournament. The competition introduced seeding for the top eight teams to bypass the first round, enhancing fairness and allowing underdogs opportunities for upsets while maintaining professional standards with standardized formats and increased marketing. Notable outcomes included Orlando Pirates' 2011 triumph over Wits University in the final, a 3-2 victory that highlighted the event's intensity. During the 2010s, the Telkom Knockout achieved peak viewership, averaging around 2 million television viewers per match, driven by high-profile clashes and national broadcasting.[19][35][36] The tournament's final edition occurred in 2019, with Mamelodi Sundowns defeating Polokwane City 1-0 in the final, but Telkom withdrew sponsorship ahead of the 2020/21 season due to severe financial pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced corporate budgets and economic uncertainty. PSL chairman Irvin Khoza confirmed the suspension, citing the sponsor's exit and unsuccessful negotiations with potential replacements, such as BP, amid broader fixture congestion from pandemic-related disruptions. The hiatus extended through 2023, as the PSL prioritized league and other cup schedules like the MTN 8 to manage travel restrictions and health protocols.[35][37][38] The pause had notable repercussions for PSL clubs, depriving them of substantial revenue streams—the tournament previously distributed over R14 million in prizes annually—exacerbating financial strains already intensified by empty stadiums and halted operations during lockdowns. Clubs shifted focus to alternative competitions like the MTN 8 for early-season earnings, while fans expressed widespread discontent through social media campaigns and petitions urging revival, lamenting the loss of a key platform for mid-tier teams to challenge giants. Over its 14 editions from 2006 to 2019, the Telkom Knockout featured eight different winners among 11 unique champions overall, underscoring its competitive diversity with Kaizer Chiefs claiming three titles.[39][40][35]Revival and Recent Developments (2023–present)
The Carling Knockout Cup was revived in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, marking its return as a key fixture in South African professional football under the sponsorship of Carling Black Label. The inaugural post-revival edition culminated in Stellenbosch FC defeating TS Galaxy 1–1 (5–4 on penalties) in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on December 16, 2023, securing Stellenbosch's first major trophy in the competition's modern era.[41][42] The 2024 edition further highlighted the tournament's potential for upsets, with newly promoted Magesi FC—entering the Betway Premiership after success in the National First Division—claiming victory as underdogs. Magesi triumphed 2–1 over defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on November 23, 2024, with goals from Tshepo Kakora and Delano Abrahams overturning an early lead by Sundowns' Iqraam Rayners. This marked Magesi as the first newly promoted side to win the competition since its format adjustments in the 1990s, underscoring increased competitiveness among lower-resourced Premiership clubs.[43][44] As of November 18, 2025, the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup has reached the final stage, with Orlando Pirates defeating Richards Bay FC 1–0 in the semi-final on November 8 and Marumo Gallants defeating Golden Arrows 2–2 (4–2 on penalties) on November 9, setting up the final between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants on December 6 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Pirates had earlier eliminated defending champions Magesi FC 2–1 in the quarter-finals on October 28. The season has introduced enhanced fan engagement through a mobile app for voting on the Carling All-Stars XI, which is scheduled to face the tournament winners in a post-season Carling Cup match later in December, allowing supporters to select players and potentially act as "champion coaches."[45][46] Recent developments include bolstered digital broadcasting via SuperSport and SABC platforms, providing live streams, highlights, and interactive features to broaden accessibility beyond traditional TV audiences. Carling's broader sponsorship portfolio, including its role as the official South African beer sponsor for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—backing Mamelodi Sundowns' participation—has amplified the tournament's visibility through cross-promotional campaigns.[47][48] The revival has faced challenges, particularly in navigating alcohol sponsorship amid efforts to promote youth access to football. Carling's branding includes strict age restrictions—not for sale or consumption by those under 18—and public health advocates have raised concerns about the normalization of alcohol in sports viewing, potentially influencing underage attitudes despite responsible drinking campaigns. Attendance has shown post-COVID recovery, exemplified by a record 45,451 fans at Stellenbosch FC's round-of-16 win over Kaizer Chiefs on October 5, 2025, at DHL Stadium, signaling renewed enthusiasm for live matches after pandemic-related disruptions.[26][49]Records and Results
List of Finals
The following table lists all finals of the Carling Knockout Cup (previously known as the Telkom Knockout Cup, Coca-Cola Cup, Rothmans Cup, John Player Special Knockout Cup, and Datsun Challenge) from its inception in 1982 to the most recent completed final in 2024. The competition was suspended from 2020 to 2022. The 2025 final is pending as of November 18, 2025. Details such as venues, dates, and attendance are included where available; records for pre-1990 finals are particularly sparse for attendance and exact goal scorers. Goal scorers are listed for the winning team only when documented in sources.[10][50]| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Venue | Date | Attendance | Winner's Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Arcadia Shepherds | 1–1 (replay: 2–0) | Highlands Park | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1983 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–1 | Wits University | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1984 | Kaizer Chiefs | 1–0, 1–1 (replay) | Durban Bush Bucks | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1985 | Bidvest Wits | 2–1, 0–1 (replay: 2–1) | Kaizer Chiefs | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1986 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–1, 0–0 | Moroka Swallows | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1987 | Durban Bush Bucks | 1–3, 2–0 (replay: 2–1) | Orlando Pirates | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1988 | Kaizer Chiefs | 3–1, 2–1 | Jomo Cosmos | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1989 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–0, 2–1 | Moroka Swallows | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1990 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 1–0, 1–1 | Orlando Pirates | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1991 | Dynamos | 2–2 (replay: 2–1) | Giant Blackpool | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1992 | AmaZulu | 3–1 | Kaizer Chiefs | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1993 | Umtata Bush Bucks | 3–1 | Santos | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1994 | QwaQwa Stars | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Hellenic | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1995 | Bidvest Wits | 1–0 | Orlando Pirates | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1996 | Umtata Bush Bucks | 1–1 (replay: 1–0) | QwaQwa Stars | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 1997 | Kaizer Chiefs | 1–1 (replay: 1–1, 3–2 pen.) | Mamelodi Sundowns | Not available | Not available | Not available | N/A (penalties) |
| 1998 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–2 (2–1 pen.) | Mamelodi Sundowns | Not available | Not available | Not available | N/A (penalties) |
| 1999 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 2–0 | Free State Stars | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2000 | Ajax Cape Town | 1–1 (replay: 4–1) | Orlando Pirates | Athlone Stadium | 2 December 2000 | 15,000 | Not available |
| 2001 | Kaizer Chiefs | 5–0 | Jomo Cosmos | FNB Stadium | 24 November 2001 | 25,000 | Not available |
| 2002 | Jomo Cosmos | 1–0 | Kaizer Chiefs | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2003 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–0 | Silver Stars | FNB Stadium | 13 December 2003 | 20,000 | Not available |
| 2004 | Kaizer Chiefs | 1–0 | SuperSport United | Loftus Versfeld | 11 December 2004 | 18,000 | Not available |
| 2005 | Jomo Cosmos | 1–1 (4–1 pen.) | SuperSport United | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | 10 December 2005 | 12,000 | N/A (penalties) |
| 2006 | Platinum Stars | 3–1 | Ajax Cape Town | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | 2 December 2006 | 15,000 | Not available |
| 2007 | Kaizer Chiefs | 0–0 (3–2 pen.) | Mamelodi Sundowns | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | 1 December 2007 | 30,000 | N/A (penalties) |
| 2008 | Ajax Cape Town | 2–1 | Orlando Pirates | Athlone Stadium | 6 December 2008 | 20,000 | Not available |
| 2009 | Kaizer Chiefs | 2–1 | Ajax Cape Town | FNB Stadium | 5 December 2009 | 25,000 | Not available |
| 2010 | Kaizer Chiefs | 3–0 | Orlando Pirates | FNB Stadium | 4 December 2010 | 70,000 | Not available |
| 2011 | Orlando Pirates | 3–1 | Bidvest Wits | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 10 December 2011 | 40,000 | Not available |
| 2012 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 1–0 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 8 December 2012 | 25,000 | Not available |
| 2013 | Platinum Stars | 2–1 | Orlando Pirates | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | 7 December 2013 | 18,000 | Not available |
| 2014 | SuperSport United | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Platinum Stars | Peter Mokaba Stadium | 6 December 2014 | 15,000 | Not available |
| 2015 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 3–1 | Kaizer Chiefs | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 5 December 2015 | 30,000 | Not available |
| 2016 | Cape Town City | 2–1 | SuperSport United | Cape Town Stadium | 10 December 2016 | 25,000 | Not available |
| 2017 | Bidvest Wits | 1–0 | Bloemfontein Celtic | Bidvest Stadium | 9 December 2017 | 10,000 | Not available |
| 2018 | Baroka FC | 2–2 (3–2 pen.) | Orlando Pirates | Peter Mokaba Stadium | 8 December 2018 | 12,000 | N/A (penalties) |
| 2019 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 2–1 | Maritzburg United | Cape Town Stadium | 14 December 2019 | 20,000 | Not available |
| 2023 | Stellenbosch FC | 1–1 (5–4 pen.) | TS Galaxy | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 14 December 2023 | Not available | N/A (penalties) |
| 2024 | Magesi FC | 2–1 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Free State Stadium | 23 November 2024 | Not available | Tshepo Kokora, Delano Abrahams |
Winners and Runners-Up by Year
The Carling Knockout Cup, originally launched as the Datsun Challenge in 1982, has seen various sponsorship-driven name changes over its history, including the John Player Special Knockout Cup (1984–1991), Coca-Cola Cup (1992–1996, 1999–2005), Rothmans Cup (1997–1998), Telkom Knockout (2006–2019), and its current iteration under Carling sponsorship from 2023 onward. The competition was not held from 2020 to 2022 due to scheduling disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] Below is a comprehensive list of winners and runners-up for each edition from 1982 to 2024, presented chronologically.| Year | Competition Name | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Datsun Challenge | Arcadia Shepherds | Highlands Park |
| 1983 | Datsun Challenge | Kaizer Chiefs | Wits University |
| 1984 | John Player Special Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Bush Bucks |
| 1985 | John Player Special Knockout | Wits University | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1986 | John Player Special Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Moroka Swallows |
| 1987 | John Player Special Knockout | Bush Bucks | Orlando Pirates |
| 1988 | John Player Special Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Jomo Cosmos |
| 1989 | John Player Special Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Moroka Swallows |
| 1990 | John Player Special Knockout | Mamelodi Sundowns | Orlando Pirates |
| 1991 | John Player Special Knockout | Dynamos | Blackpool |
| 1992 | Coca-Cola Cup | AmaZulu | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 1993 | Coca-Cola Cup | Umtata Bush Bucks | Santos |
| 1994 | Coca-Cola Cup | Qwa Qwa Stars | Hellenic |
| 1995 | Coca-Cola Cup | Wits University | Orlando Pirates |
| 1996 | Coca-Cola Cup | Umtata Bush Bucks | Qwa Qwa Stars |
| 1997 | Rothmans Cup | Kaizer Chiefs | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 1998 | Rothmans Cup | Kaizer Chiefs | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 1999 | Coca-Cola Cup | Mamelodi Sundowns | Free State Stars |
| 2000 | Coca-Cola Cup | Ajax Cape Town | Orlando Pirates |
| 2001 | Coca-Cola Cup | Kaizer Chiefs | Jomo Cosmos |
| 2002 | Coca-Cola Cup | Jomo Cosmos | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 2003 | Coca-Cola Cup | Kaizer Chiefs | Silver Stars |
| 2004 | Coca-Cola Cup | Kaizer Chiefs | SuperSport United |
| 2005 | Coca-Cola Cup | Jomo Cosmos | SuperSport United |
| 2006 | Telkom Knockout | Platinum Stars | Ajax Cape Town |
| 2007 | Telkom Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 2008 | Telkom Knockout | Ajax Cape Town | Orlando Pirates |
| 2009 | Telkom Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Ajax Cape Town |
| 2010 | Telkom Knockout | Kaizer Chiefs | Orlando Pirates |
| 2011 | Telkom Knockout | Orlando Pirates | Wits University |
| 2012 | Telkom Knockout | Bloemfontein Celtic | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| 2013 | Telkom Knockout | Platinum Stars | Orlando Pirates |
| 2014 | Telkom Knockout | SuperSport United | Platinum Stars |
| 2015 | Telkom Knockout | Mamelodi Sundowns | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 2016 | Telkom Knockout | Cape Town City | SuperSport United |
| 2017 | Telkom Knockout | Wits University | Bloemfontein Celtic |
| 2018 | Telkom Knockout | Baroka | Orlando Pirates |
| 2019 | Telkom Knockout | Mamelodi Sundowns | Maritzburg United |
| 2020 | - | Not held | - |
| 2021 | - | Not held | - |
| 2022 | - | Not held | - |
| 2023 | Carling Knockout | Stellenbosch FC | TS Galaxy |
| 2024 | Carling Knockout | Magesi FC | Mamelodi Sundowns |
Club Performances
Most Successful Clubs
Kaizer Chiefs stand as the most dominant force in the Carling Knockout Cup, securing 13 titles across the competition's history since its inception in 1982, far surpassing all other clubs.[2] This record includes victories in multiple eras, with their last triumph coming in 2010 before the tournament's hiatus.[53] Chiefs have also appeared in a league-leading 17 finals, achieving a win percentage of approximately 76% in those decisive matches.[2] Following Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns rank second with 4 titles and 8 final appearances, demonstrating consistent contention but a 50% win rate in finals.[54] Orlando Pirates, despite only 1 victory in 2011, hold the third-most final appearances with 9, including 8 runner-up finishes, highlighting their frequent deep runs but limited success at an 11% win rate. Bidvest Wits complete the top tier with 3 titles, underscoring their notable but less frequent impact.[54] The following table summarizes the performance of the top clubs based on titles, runner-up finishes, total finals, and win percentage (calculated as titles divided by total finals, rounded to the nearest whole number):| Club | Titles | Runner-Ups | Total Finals | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaizer Chiefs | 13 | 4 | 17 | 76% |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 4 | 4 | 8 | 50% |
| Orlando Pirates | 1 | 8 | 9 | 11% |
| Bidvest Wits | 3 | 1* | 4* | 75% |