Royal AM staged a second-half comeback to defeat University of Pretoria 3-2 in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
Two additions for AM from the win over Marumo Gallants FC saw Thato Lingwati and Given Mashikinya restored, with Dumisani Msibi in goal for Tuks and Luvuyo Phewa on the bench.
AmaTuks almost had the ideal start in the opening seconds through a near post attempt from Sanele Barns, but goalkeeper Hugo Nyame rushed off his goal-line and thwarted.
It needed the visitors just 19 minutes to make the opener though as Wonderboy Makhubu headed a cross into the centre of the area past a flat-footed Nyame.
Makhubu bagged a brace nine minutes later after he pounced on a loose ball in the area from careless bit of defending and curled into the bottom corner of the net.
Royal AM began to find confidence following a difficult opening and came close to halve the lead from a header at the back-post by Victor Letsoalo which Msibi parried.
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Thwihli Thwahla turned out for the second half renewed and got a way back after 58 minutes when Letsoalo beat Msibi from the penalty-spot after he went down in the of the area.
With Royal AM camping in the half of AmaTuks following the last 20 minutes, a quartet of changes saw Menzi Masuku, Tebogo Potsane, Mfundo Thikazi and Jabulani Ncobeni enter.
It worked as Thwihli Thwahla levelled with 12 minutes to go after Letsoalo latched onto a cutback in the area and fired past Msibi at the first time of asking.
Royal AM went on to grab the winner at the death when Thikazi ran onto a first-time pass from Sedwyn George following a throw-in to tap into an empty net.
The host then survived the remaining few seconds of the match and confirmed their spot in the semi-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Nyame, Mkhize, Matlaba, Lingwati, Nascimento, Mashikinya, Mahlasela, Mabena, Kobedi, Macuphu, Letsoalo.
Subs: Heugh, Potsane, Rikhotso, Thikazi, Ncobeni, Masuku, George, Matjila, Pelembe.
AmaTuks: Msibi, Allan, Maqoko, Moeketsi, Mpedi, Julies, Mvambi, Barns, Chokoe, Makhubu, Pheeane.
Subs: Cola, Phewa, T. Mokoena, Selotola, Msani, B. Mokwena, Sibanyoni.