Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in their DStv Premiership opener on Saturday night.
New signing Patrick Maswanganyi and Zakhele Lepasa got a start for Pirates, while Stellies named former Kaizer Chiefs winger Kgaogelo Sekgota on the bench.
Pirates looked to hit the front inside the opening 20 minutes from a first-time strike at the back-post by the new boy Maswanganyi, but the attempt failed to get the better of Sage Stephens.
The Maroons produced a scare too courtesy of a curling ball around the area by Antonio Van Wyk, but it rolled safely in the arms of the opposite number in the Pirates goal Sipho Chaine.
However, Stellies endured a great escape two minutes ahead of the half-hour mark after Monnapule Saleng beat Ismael Toure's challenge in the area and riffled a teasing shot off the crossbar.
The host though were ahead five minutes to halftime when possession turnover allowed Van Wyk to beat the offside trap and latched onto a through pass to fire through the legs of Chaine.
Pirates relentlessly pushed for the leveller shortly after the interval though strong defending by Toure amongst other elements denied them.
The Buccaneers introduced fresh faces midway through the second half in Relebohile Mofokeng and new signing Katlego Otladisa, with Fortune Makaringe and Maswanwanyi sacrificed.
Otladisa, who joined from the relegated Marumo Gallants, hoped to make lasting impact soon from entering but curled a loose ball outside the area high and wide as Stellenbosch held on for three points.
The Buccaneers will now turn their attention to Tuesday's clash against Royal AM, while Stellenbosch take on newly-promoted Polokwane City.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Van Rooyen, Moloisane, Toure, Basadien, Mthethwa, Adams, Palace, Van Wyk, Titus, Rayners.
Subs: Masuluke, Mphahlele, Sibande, Jurgens, Sekgota, Oura, De Jong, Mgaga, Boji.
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Monyane, Hotto, Monare, Ndlondlo, Makaringe, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Maela, Mthethwa, Mako, Makhaula, Shandu, Mofokeng, Otladisa, Makgopa
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