Stellenbosch FC were unable to make it two Cape Derby wins in a row after playing to a 1-1 draw against Cape Town Spurs on Saturday evening.
Stellies kept the same side that beat Cape Town City in midweek, Iqraam Rayners and Anicet Oura led the attack while Spurs were also unchanged from their draw against Orlando Pirates, apart from Rafiq de Goede, who was recalled in place of the suspended Rushwin Dortley.
The Urban Warriors had the better early chances in a lively start from both sides, as Chumani Butsaka was twice denied by goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke.
Steve Barker's charges came to life on the half-hour mark as Deano Rooyen came close to breaking the deadlock after stinging the gloves of shot-stopper Neil Boshoff with a strike from range.
Ernst Middendorp's men eventually went ahead just before the interval thanks to a strike by Asenele Velebayi in the box from a possession turnover.
Stellies almost had a perfect start in the second stanza after two minutes in, Devon Titus was denied the equaliser by the crossbar.
With clear chances hard to come by, Barker eventually made a tactical change shortly before the hour-mark, as defender Qobolwakhe Sibande replaced Oura.
The hosts had a lifeline moments later after they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Denwin Farmer in the box.
Rayners made no mistake from the spot-kick as he equalised for Stellies with a strike into the bottom corner.
The Maroons were aiming for the winner with an attacking change in the last ten minutes as Andre de Jong replaced Sihle Nduli.
Stellies almost got the winner with seven minutes to go after Titus was denied by the crossbar again and in the end the game ended all square.
The Carling Knockout champions dropped down to third on the table while Spurs remained unbeaten since the restart at the bottom of the log.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch FC: Masuluke, Mcaba, Van Rooyen, Basadien, Nduli, Moloisane, Matsheke, Oura, Van Wyk, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Langeveldt, De Kock, Sibande, Mgaga, Jurgens, De Jong, Colley, Mini, Boji
Cape Town Spurs: Boschoff, Maphathe, Nkwali, Moroole, De Goede, Kamagi, Bern, Butsaka, Phewa, Cupido, Velebayi
Subs: Dlamini, Ralani, Buchanan, Jakalshe, Morton, Moosa, Maduna, Gumede, Farmer
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