Who needs a vuvuzela if you have a phura phura?

Three of South Africa's top fashion designers have swapped the catwalk for the soccer grandstands.

To honour the fans of the Nedbank Cup, designers David Tlale, Craig Jacobs of Fundudzi and Anisa Mpungwe of the Loin Cloth and Ashes label, are teaming up with three superfans, from Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The idea is to elevate the fans' elaborate costumes to the level of collectable design through Nedbank's Football Fan Couture Challenge.

Kaizer Chiefs' supporter Alfred "The Magistrate" Baloyi and Tlale will create a costume Baloyi hopes will make him "fly".

''I want to look like a king in a gown of rich fabrics, created in my favourite colours, black and gold," Baloyi said.

A veteran of the Chiefs' fan community, Baloyi invented the makarapa headgear that became popular during the Fifa 2010 World Cup .

Baloyi, 57, dresses in yellow and black fatigues and a cape, embellished with a horn-topped makarapa, huge plastic tie and bits of Nedbank paraphernalia like the moveable mascots y-tjukutja.

He is greeted with smiles and handshakes wherever he goes.

Eugene Khoza, an Orlando Pirates superfan, works closely with Baloyi in making makarapas.

Designer Jacobs has referenced pirate costumes to help his team mascot reimagine his look.

''I want a phura phura - a cloak, similar to a graduation gown - to support my team and I will, of course, wear my makarapa," said Khoza.

Sundowns have been knocked out of the cup but their supporter, Lizzie Matseke, could still take top honours in the fashion challenge.

She never misses a Sundowns match, and was flown by team owner Patrice Motsepe to Egypt a few years ago to support the team.

Matseke decks herself out head to toe in green and yellow for the Brazilians' games.

Designer Mpungwe said she was inspired by Matseke's gentle personality. So she created a 1950s princess dress, ''a high-tea hoop skirt that really makes her stand out. She must be the Sundowns' princess."

Mpungwe is also working on accessories and embellishments for Matseke and hopes the fan will copy and sell them to other Sundowns supporters.

Nkosinathi Msiza, Nedbank senior communications manager, said the raw creative talent visible in the grandstands inspired the initiative.

"South African soccer fans go all out for their teams on match days, especially in the way they dress up, the colourful costumes they create with minimal means," Msiza said.

''Our superfans are fashion designers in their own right. We're just taking things up a level."

The semifinals of the Nedbank Cup are played next weekend. The final will be in mid-May.