Kaizer Chiefs moved up to fifth place on the Betway Premiership table with a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday evening.
Reeve Frosler and Christian Saile dropped of the Amakhosi line up after loss to Cape Town City as Njabulo Blom and Bradley Cross were recalled.
After an even opening, the Maroons got ahead when Rushwin Dortley's stray pass saw Devon Titus intercept to play across the area for Khomotjo Lekoloane to tap into an empty net for his first goal for the club.
The response came just inside the midway stage after Wandile Duba rose highest in the box to get onto Thatayaone Ditlhokwe's header at the back-post and head in the near corner.
Interestingly, the Soweto giants went for a double change right thereafter, with Mfundo Vilakazi replacing Ashley Du Preez before Tebogo Potsane came on for Cross.
Neither side had control of matters at this point though the Maroons were close to regain the lead when a thumping strike off a free-kick by Lekoloane left Bruce Bvuma in a spot of bother.
Chiefs were in control ten minutes after the break as a defence-splitting pass released Duba in amidst the high-line and finished from a tight angle.
Maroons nearly got level in the space of a minute through a powerful drive from the area by Ibraheem Jabaar, but Bvuma produced acrobatic reflexes.
It didn't unsettle the boys from the Winelands who still pushed forth in the hope of a comeback though the Amakhosi remained steadfast in the hope to maintain ascendancy.
The Amakhosi remained on the edge though and were bailed out by the upright in the final minute as Sanele Barns came close to a curling free-kick.
In the end, the Glamour Boys sustained all the late pressure coming their way and registered their first win of the new year.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Cross, Blom, Miguel, Dortley, Ditlhokwe, Maart, Mthethwa, Duba, Shabalala, Du Preez
Subs: Ntwari, Kwinika, Solomons, Mashiane, Matlou, Potsane, Vilakazi, Ngcobo, Chivaviro
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Toure, Jabaar, Enyinnaya, Nduli, Basadien, Lekoloane, Adams, Titus, De Jong.
Subs: Masuluke, Onyango, Palace, Jurgens, Mdaka, Phili, Butsaka, Cupido, Barns