TS Galaxy avoided a potential Nedbank Cup upset as they emerged 2-0 victors against Amavarara in the round of 32 at the BidVest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The third-tier club held on until the 41st minute when Sphiwe Mahlangu fired Sead Ramovic's side in front before Masilake Phohlongo doubled their lead four minutes later to seal the win.

Galaxy, who won the competition in 2019 and remain the only club outside the top tier to be crowned champions, were looking to reach the last 16 for a second consecutive season after they sent Kaizer Chiefs packing at the first hurdle exactly one year ago.

Meanwhile, Amavarara hoped to draw inspiration from their first appearance in first-round proper three years ago when they beat Super Eagles 2-1 to advance to the next round.

The ABC Motsepe League outfit gave as good as they got for much of the opening 45 minutes and threatened the home goal on a couple of occasions midway through the first half without success.

However, the Rockets finished the half in the ascendancy as they struck twice in the space of four minutes to take command of the cup-tie.

Sphiwe Mahlangu opened the scoring with a strike from inside the area on 41 minutes and the Galaxy fans were celebrating again just before halftime when the goalscorer turned provider for Phohlongo to beat Khanya Mini.

Amavarara made two changes at the break in an attempt to get back into the contest, with Sihle Maso and Thandolwethu Dayimane replacing Ayavuya Gocina and Simakade Yanga respectively, while Sibongiseni Madikane was introduced for Athenkosi Tonisi 11 minutes later.

But the substitutions failed to have the desired effect as Galaxy kept them quiet for the majority of the second half and even a spell of late pressure yielded nothing as Amavarara bowed out of the competition.

TS Galaxy (2) 2 (S. Mahlangu 41', Phohlongo 45')

TS Galaxy:W. van der Linde, V. Mere (N. Radebe 75'), S. Msimango, P. Sanoka, M. Mahlangu, K. Sebelebele (O. Mongae 60'), X. Mlambo, M. Phohlongo, L. Hlongwane, Y. Medina (L. Seema 86'), S. Mahlangu (M. Mathekgane 60').

Amavarara:K. Mini, M. Tshepang, S. Kelepu, X. Sifunda, S. Stuurman, S. Yanga (T. Dayimane 46'), S. Mbinambina (L. Molakeng 84'), P. Nyembani (L. Gxaba 84'), A. Tonisi (S. Madikane 56'), S. Mtule, A. Gocina (S. Maso 46').