Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates survived a serious scare from lowly National First Division outfit Thanda Royal Zulu at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richard's Bay on Saturday, advancing into the second round of the Nedbank Cup with a 3-1 penalty shootout win.
Thanda's Andile Fikizolo scored a first half brace as the Buccaneers trailed 2-0 until the 91st minute.
Ayanda Gcaba pulled a goal back, before Helder Pelembe equalised three minutes later to send the game into extra-time.
Kermit Erasmus then scored in the second half of extra-time, before Thanda sent the game to a penalty shootout with their third, as the game ended 3-3 after 120 minutes.
But in the end, Pirates held their nerve and prevailed, securing the penalty victory as Thanda's hopes of the tournament's first upset disappeared.
Elsewhere, Bidvest Wits had no trouble in getting past Gauteng SAFA Second Division outfit AmaBEE in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.
Getaneh Gibeto and Asive Langwe sealed a comfortable 2-0 win for the Premiership side, as BEE bowed out of the knockout tournament at the first hurdle.
Meanwhile, Platinum Stars stuttered into the round of 16 with a nervy 3-1 win over Great North FC out of Limpopo.