At the Athlone Stadium on Saturday night, Stellenbosch stunned the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 after coming back from a goal down.

Iqraam Rayners, the competition's leading scorer, scored a hat trick to secure Steve Barker's team a position in the semifinals.

After holding the DStv Premiership winners to a draw earlier this year, a result that broke Sundowns' record-breaking winning streak, Stellenbosch entered this match with quiet confidence. With three players suspended, including captain Deano Van Rooyen, Nhlanhla Mgaga, and Sage Stephens, they too faced a difficult test.

Stellies had only triumphed once in their previous encounters, and that was in a match played in the league just under a year prior.

In their last three straight league games since being crowned champions, Sundowns, the defending Nedbank champions, have been tied for first place.

Both sides threatened aggressively in the opening minutes of the game, which was high-energy, but there was little impact in the closing thirds.

Neo Maema eventually had an opportunity to score in the 25th minute, but his shot missed the post while beating a diving Lee Langeveldt. Later, Junior Mendieta's shot from the opposite end likewise missed the mark.

In the 33rd minute, Marcelo Allende had a great opportunity to score when he raced onto a misplaced pass, but Vusi Sibiya stopped him with a last-ditch challenge. Iqraam Rayners' shot came after just over two minutes of end-to-end play.

In the 39th minute, Aubrey Modiba scored an incredible goal, but unfortunately, it hit the woodwork, hit Langeveldt's back, and ended up in the goal, breaking the deadlock.

At halftime, Downs held a lead of 1-0, but just three minutes into the second half, the score was tied. Iqraam Rayners took advantage of a poor back pass, rounded Denis Onyango, and scored to make it 1-1.

In the 51st minute, Maema took a shot from distance, but Langeveldt was able to save it.

Stellies' high press was effective, and thanks to some great work from Devin Titus, Rayners had another chance in the 56th minute. He got past his defender and chipped the ball over Onyango to make it 2-1. This was Rayners' sixth goal of the tournament.

In the 64th minute, Langeveldt rescued the team by making consecutive saves to prevent Khuliso Mudau and Gaston Sirino from scoring.

One minute later, Mendieta attempted to link up with Rayners, but the Argentinean missed the target.

The Stellies did an excellent job of keeping Peter Shalulile at bay, and Langeveldt made a crucial save at his feet in the 70th minute. Onyango denied Mendieta's low shot in the 75th minute.

Despite Sundowns' relentless efforts to level the score, Stellies defended with courage. In the dying minutes of the game, Thapelo Morena's shot hit Shalulile and went over the crossbar.

When the final whistle sounded, the Athlone Stadium erupted in cheers as the home team shocked the league champions.