Stellenbosch FC got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Chippa United on Wednesday evening.
The Chilli Boys missed Victor Letsoalo through suspension before Thabo Moloisane, Fawaaz Basadien and Jayden Adams featured as the Maroons changes replacing Athenkosi Mcaba, Omega Mdaka and Chumani Butsaka.
Both teams went at each other in the earlier stages with the host in particular enjoying a succession of free-kicks but lacked decisiveness in the final third.
Within the opening-quarter, still little separated the respective outfits before the MTN8 runners-up saw forward Ashley Cupido drag a decent opening narrowly wide of the mark.
The former Cape Town Spurs, who joined this season, redeemed himself a minute past the half-hour mark and opened his account for the club through a well-taken strike.
Stellies upped the ante two minutes before halftime after Devon Titus raced clean through to the area following a through pass and calmly picked out the far bottom-corner.
Three changes for Chippa ahead of the second half saw Siphelo Baloni, Aphelele Teto and Malebogo Modise brought on by Kwanele Kopo and Thabo September.
Baloni nearly made an impact off the bench five minutes after coming in through a chance from a delivery by Ayabulela Konqobe, but he shot high and wide.
Cameroonian Bienvenu Eva Nga looked to go one better than his teammate with an opening following a corner-kick, but he also fluffed his lines.
The Chilli Boys continued to fancy a comeback in the final stages, but the Maroons held on tight and grabbed a win to move into third spot on the table.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Nwabali, Maloa, Ntsabo, Makhele, Kammies, Konqobe, Jali, Kwayiba, Martin, Eva Nga
Subs: Johnson, Teto, Kambindu, Baloni, Majogoro, Mqokozo, Chabalala, Dlala, Modise
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Toure, Basadien, Jurgens, Adams, Nduli Cupido, Titus, De Jong, Barns
Subs: Masuluke, Mdaka, Butsaka, Phili, Onyango, Palace, Jabaar, Lekoloane, Mini