Ten-man Stellenbosch missed the chance to win back-to-back Betway Premiership games for the first time after a goalless draw against Richards Bay on Saturday afternoon.
Stellies made three changes after their win over Chippa United in midweek, as Ibraheem Jabaar, Cumani Butsaka and Langelihle Phili were recalled.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, made only one change from their narrow cup win over Chippa United, as Nkosikhona Ndaba took the place of Simphiwe Mcineka at the back.
The Natal Rich Boyz had a bright start, as they kept goalkeeper Sage Stephens on his toes in the early exchanges.
The visitors got into the game after 25 minutes as Kyle Jurgens almost gave them the lead from a set-piece with a curling shot from the edge of the box that missed just wide.
Brandon Truter's charges kept on coming and with ten minutes left of the first stanza, Yamela Mbuthuma had a big chance with a close-range header that brought the best out of Stephens.
The tempo of the game, however, slowed down towards the end of the first stanza as the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
Truter made an attacking change at half-time as Thabiso Kutumela replaced Thulani Gumede for fresh legs.
Kutumela made an immediate impact for the hosts, as ten minutes later he nearly broke the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box that was saved by Stephens.
As the game opened up, Richards Bay continued to have the good chances, as 20 minutes before time Mbuthuma came close with a strike in the box that missed narrowly wide.
Steve Barker was looking for a change of fortunes in attack after that as Genino Palace came on for Butsaka, in a tactical move.
However, the Cape Winelands side were reduced to ten men in the last seven minutes after Jayden Adams received a second yellow card for a foul and was sent off.
Truter introduced Thabang Sibanyoni towards the end to try steal the win but Stellies held on for the share of the spoils.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Otieno, Mabuya, Ndaba, Allen, Mabua, Mthethwa, Figareido, Mthembu, Mbuthuma, Buthelezi, Ntsundwana
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Moloisane, Toure, Basadien, Jurgens, Adams, Jabaar, Cupido, Titus, Phili, Butsaka
Subs: Masuluke, Mdaka, De Kock, Nduli, Onyango, Palace, Barns, Lekoloane, Mini