AmaZulu will face Royal AM in the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Cup final after beating Golden Arrows 5-4 on penalties on Sunday afternoon.
Usuthu featured new signings George Maluleka and Riaan Hanamub, but Dumisani Zuma and Gabadinho Mhango started on the bench with no Ethan Brooks where Arrows unveiled their new boy Ryan Moon.
It wasn't a lively opening whereby chances came few and far between though Usuthu launched the first scare through a long-range drive by veteran forward Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Usuthu's pursuit to the breakthrough continued a little inside the midway mark and had Thendo Mukumela rattle the side-netting through a quick snap-shot inside the area.
Subtle amount of pressure from Abafana Besthende began to build afterwards and left Usuthu scratching to court the likes of Knox Mutizwa, Saziso Magawana and Moon.
The second half saw Arrows bring on goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana and Sandile Gumede, while Usuthu brought on Mhango and withdrew Sbusiso Magaqa.
Usuthu structurally maintained their balance of play and missed a sitter near the last 12 minutes when Majoro headed a floating free-kick inches wide of the far post.
AmaZulu continued to apply pressure in the latter stages and put Mlungwana to work with a flying shot from range by substitute Keagan Buchanan.
With former Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele on, Usuthu brought more work off Mlungwana through a header from point-blank range by Mhango seconds apart.
As no goals followed in normal time, a penalty kicks came and after a tense shoot-out, Usuthu emerged victorious with Dumisani Zuma netting the winning kick and Mothwa saving at the other end.
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Royal AM defeated Uthongathi FC on penalties to secure a spot in the the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Cup final on Sunday morning.
Royal AM took just 12 minutes to get ahead after Andre De Jong pounced on a loose pass around the area and delivered a low cross for Elias Pelembe to tap into an unguarded net.
The new signing roles switched at the midway juncture where he controlled a clever low ball into the area and finished with extreme composure from point-blank range.
Uthongathi continued to chase shadows as the half begin to close-in and nearly conceded a third through Mxolisi Macuphu's near post attempt, but it was parried.
Royal AM though could've had a third from neat passing movement towards the area, but goalkeeper Katlego Ramonyai expertly thwarted substitute Phila Mzila's smart attempt.
The Cane Cutters regrouped and pulled one back in the final 20 minutes after Menzi Chili noted an opening on the near side of the box and side-footed in following a smart cross.
Uthongathi bagged the equaliser minutes later when Ferdinand Nkwuda pounced on a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto and Tshepo Rikhotso and slotted into a gaping net.
A penalty shoot-out would determined a victor after neither side managed to win it in normal time, as two misses from Uthongathi and four successful executions from Royal AM saw the top-fligh side advance to the final.