The MTN8 semifinal first legs will be played this weekend, with the remaining four clubs looking to put one foot in this year’s final.
Sekhukhune United host champions Orlando Pirates on Saturday, while Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Lamontville Golden Arrows on Sunday.
It is a chance for players on either side to make their mark and push for the honour of being named this year’s Last Man Standing, the award that has been given to the best player in each competition since 2008.
Here is a look back at who has been handed the honour over the last 18 years.
2008 – Gert Schalkwyk (Kaizer Chiefs)
Schalkwyk showed all his qualities to help Kaizer Chiefs lift the trophy as he pulled the strings in midfield and chipped in with some crucial goals. He would finish the campaign as top scorer with three strikes.
2009 – Njabulo Manqana (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
Manqana was a richly deserving winner as his performance in the final tore Ajax Cape Town to shreds, with two goals of his own and a sparkling display that also created chances for his teammates.
2010 – Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows)
Nomvethe was already a veteran by the time the 2010 MTN8 came along but continued to show his quality. He is the only Last Man Standing who was not at the winning club. His three goals saw him top the scorers’ list.
2011 – Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates)
Manyisa played every minute of Pirates’ campaign and netted vital goals in both the semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns and the final against Chiefs.
2012 – Lerato Chabangu (Moroka Swallows)
Chabangu led Swallows to the title with some masterful displays as the playmaker. He scored against AmaZulu in the quarterfinals and then netted a brace in the thrilling 3-2 victory over former side Sundowns in the second leg of the semifinals.
2013 – Robert Ng’ambi (Platinum Stars)
Ng’ambi showed his worth as his goals helped lead Platinum Stars to the title. He managed a brace in the second leg of their semifinal against Bidvest Wits and netted again in the final against Pirates.
2014 – George Maluleka (Kaizer Chiefs)
Maluleka was the driving force behind Chiefs’ victory and was excellent in the semifinals against champions Platinum Stars, scoring a brace as Chiefs won 2-0 and adding another in the second leg. He was the leading scorer that year.
2015 – Cecil Lolo (Ajax Cape Town)
The Ajax full-back was posthumously bestowed the award, having died in a car accident just months after helping the Urban Warriors to the title with victory over Chiefs.
2016 – Daine Klate (Bidvest Wits)
Klate was the hero of the final for Wits against Sundowns but also played a fine hand in the semifinals as the Clever Boys overwhelmed Cape Town City. His goal after 30 seconds in the final set the tone for Wits.
2017 – Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)
Goalkeeper Williams was superb throughout the competition, including in the final when he excelled in the shoot-out as SuperSport went on to lift the trophy.
2018 – Peter Leeuwenburgh (Cape Town City)
It was the second year in a row that a goalkeeper took home the top prize, as Dutch keeper Leeuwenburgh helped City to a shoot-out win over SuperSport in the final.
2019 – Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United)
His teammate Thamsanqa Gabuza was the leading scorer in the competition as SuperSport regained their MTN8 title, but Grobler netted twice, including the goal in the 1-0 final win over Highlands Park.
2020 – Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)
Hotto was in blistering form as he helped Pirates end their eight-year wait for a trophy. He managed one goal, but his pace and direct style caused problems throughout, not least in the 5-0 aggregate semifinal win over Chiefs.
2021 – Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Veteran midfielder Jali was deservedly handed the award for his stellar displays in helping Sundowns to the title with a penalty shoot-out win over Cape Town City.
2022 – Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
Saleng was a revelation for Pirates and a driving force behind them regaining the MTN8 title with victory over AmaZulu in the final, scoring the winner from a free-kick in the decider. He managed three goals and an assist in all.
2023 – Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
A goalkeeper was back among the award recipients as Chaine helped Pirates to back-to-back wins. He saved Sundowns’ first three penalties in the shoot-out in the final after a goalless draw.
2024 – Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
The winger became the third Pirates player in a row to win Last Man Standing, and deservedly so, as he played a starring role for the side in the competition, scoring two goals and grabbing two assists.
2025 – Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
Orlando Pirates continued their dominance with another title and Moremi was central to their success following his move from AmaZulu. He netted twice in the final and grabbed an assist as Pirates beat Stellenbosch FC 3-0.