Gavin Hunt backs Stellenbosch to challenge for Carling Knockout

Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt believes his side can win the Carling Knockout, pointing to the competition’s history of unexpected winners.

The Cape Winelands club begin their campaign against Durban City in the first round at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday at 19:00.

Stellenbosch won the inaugural Carling Knockout in 2023 under their former coach Steve Barker. Hunt is confident they can contend for the trophy again, despite a difficult start to the league season.

“In any cup competition there’s always a chance to win it and I think if you look at this competition, it’s got quite a history of underdogs winning it, so I really think we stand a good chance to win it,” Hunt said.

The competition has produced another unfancied champion since Stellenbosch’s success. Magesi won the 2024 edition before being relegated the following season.

Orlando Pirates are the current holders and will be looking to retain the trophy, while Stellenbosch will hope a strong cup run can provide a change in momentum after an inconsistent opening to their league campaign.

They have won only two of their eight league matches, drawing two and losing four.

Hunt also suggested that the away fixture against Durban City could prove less difficult than it might otherwise have been. Stellenbosch have played several of their home matches in Durban this season because venues in the Western Cape were unavailable for various reasons.

The match also sees Hunt return to face his former club.

“The draw is always important, who you play, where you play, but for us it’s difficult because we are playing away,” he said.

However, Hunt believes Stellenbosch’s recent familiarity with playing in Durban could work in their favour.

“But maybe Durban is home away from home because we used to play there. So it is what it is,” he added.

The coach acknowledged that the draw and venue remain significant factors in any cup competition, but said his team must focus on taking advantage of the opportunity against Durban City.

Stellenbosch will now aim to reproduce the form that carried them to the inaugural title in 2023 and use the Carling Knockout as a route to improving a season that has so far brought four defeats in eight league fixtures.