It’s the third instalment since the tournament was renamed from the Telkom Knockout Cup to the Carling Knockout.
The pride of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch FC, won the inaugural edition after beating TS Galaxy, courtesy of penalty kicks at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, to lift their first-ever trophy.
Last season was the stuff of dreams. Magesi FC, newly promoted from the lower Motsepe Foundation Championship to the Betway Premiership, became champions after shocking Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-1 victory at the Free State Stadium.
STELLENBOSCH HOST KAIZER CHIEFS
This year, the defending champions, Magesi, will start their title defence with another trip to Durban to square off with AmaZulu.
Meanwhile, one of the standout fixtures of the Last 16 is the clash between 2023 champions Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs, who will be making a second trip to Cape Town after their 2-0 win on the first weekend of the Betway Premiership.
New boys Orbit College will be at home to TS Galaxy, while fellow top-flight rookies Siwelele FC will travel to Soweto to face the MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates.
CARLING KNOCKOUT LAST 16 DRAW:
- AmaZulu vs Magesi FC
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants
- Stellenbosch FC vs Kaizer Chiefs
- Orbit College FC vs TS Galaxy
- Durban City vs Polokwane City
- Richards Bay vs Chippa United
- Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele FC
- Golden Arrows vs Sekhukhune.
The dates and venues are set to be announced in due course.