The Soweto giants survived a scare by the Swanky Boys to stay in the race for a third consecutive crown.
Orlando Pirates needed extra time to beat SuperSport United 3-1 in the MTN8 quarter-final on Saturday evening at the Orlando Stadium.
The regulation time ended 1-1 but the hosts upped their tempo to score two and ensure they stand a chance of defending their crown.
Vincent Pule made his Swanky Boys debut, playing against the Sea Robbers for the first time in six seasons after being released by the Soweto Giants in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Gavin Hunt named a strong side including new signings Pogiso Sanoka, Nyiko Mobbie, Keanin Ayer, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel hoping to eliminate the defending champions.
Riveiro opted to start with his trusted men, with new signing Gilberto missing out on the matchday squad despite the fans hunger to see him in action after joining from Petro de Luanda.
In the 11th minute, Pule found a good chance outside the danger zone, but his effort went over the bar. It was a wake-up call for the hosts who had missed a good chance a minute earlier through their teenager Relebohile Mofokeng.
The 19-year-old was once again guilty of failing to take another chance in the 17th minute before Tshegofatso Mabasa forced Ricardo Goss into a fine save five minutes later with a stinging shot from the edge of the box.
Ndah delivers, Pule haunts former team
SuperSport struggled to match Bucs who eventually scored their opening goal courtesy of towering Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah who tapped in from close range after the opponent failed to clear a corner and Monnapule Saleng sent in an inviting cross.
Just four minutes after the restart, Pule brought the teams into level terms, heading in a Bradley Grobler assist from six yards to punish Pirates who looked sluggish after the pause.
In the 60th minute, Goss pulled a fantastic goalline save to deny Patrick Maswanganyi following a deflection by the defender. With neither team managing to get a second goal, the game had to be decided in the extra time.
Saleng steals show
Saleng sent Gilberto a message that he would not be giving his position up easily when he scored Bucs' second goal in the 92nd minute after converting a well-brought-in cross by Kabelo Dlamini.
Evidence Makgopa then put the icing on the cake in the 107th minute after guiding the ball into an empty net, although replays suggested his teammate, Saleng, could have been offside in the build-up though replays suggested otherwise. Gavin Hunt protested the goal, probably claiming Goss had been fouled, but he was sent off with Bucs claiming a 3-1 win to advance.
