The Natal Rich Boyz bounced back to outwit their KZN rivals in a fast, exciting encounter and therefore move four points ahead of Royal.
Rock-bottom We Hunt To Kill are stuck on 19 points, six from safety and 18 to play for as Rise and Shine secured a 30th point after Koena Thopola netted his third goal in as many games.
The Urban Warriors, who had their head coach, Ian Taylor, red carded for a second time in weeks, moved out of danger and put more pressure on Igugu Lekapa's new coach, Sammy Troughton.
Pretoria Callies 1 Free State Stars 0
Ea Lla Koto missed the chance to overtake a number of clubs, although all credit must go to the Romans for their fighting spirit.