Stellenbosch cruised into the semi-finals of the Carling Knock-out Cup with a 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in Limpopo.

Despite having home advantage in the tie, the Maroons proved no match for visiting Stellenbosch on the night as first-half goals from Iqraam Rayners and Devon Titus saw the visitors comfortably over the line.

The writing was on the wall as early as the seventh minute when Rayners only had to tap in after finding himself unmarked in front of goal following an assist played across the face of goal. The in-form forward would end up walking away with man-of-the-match honours, bagging R100 000 for his troubles. Things went from bad to worse for Polokwane shortly after when Titus doubled Stellenbosch’s lead.

It was a mistake from Koketso Baloyi, barely on the field following an injury to Bulelani Nikani, that led to the goal, the substitute misjudging a high ball and leaving another Polokwane player unmarked in the box, Titus this time, who stroked the ball home to make it 2-0.

Polokwane became the first team to advance to the Carling Knockout semi-finals, with the remaining three quarter-finals set for Saturday, as Richards Bay hosts Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu welcomes Golden Arrows, and Sekhukhune United are up against TX Galaxy.