Stellenbosch FC were unable to climb the Betway Premiership table following a 1-1 draw with Richards Bay FC on Friday evening.
Ashley Cupido was awarded a start after his brace against TS Galax while Ibraheem Jabaar and Sanele Barns also started, as Richards Bay introduced youngster Ntlonelo Bomelo for the suspended Yanela Mbuthuma.
An unwanted start saw the Maroons go behind in the second minute through Thato Mohlamme, who finished from close-range after Sage Stephens could only parry a free-kick.
Barns looked to haunt his former club through a probing shot around the area after a run-up, but in the end nestled wide of the upright.
Stellies continued to lack rhythm as the Natal Rich Boys enjoyed ascendancy and majority of the momentum particularly in the forward spaces.
The Maroons made a triple substitution at halftime, bringing on Langelihle Phili, Andre De Jong and Lesiba Nku for Cupido, Khomotjo Lekoloane and Godswill Enyinnaya.
Mohlamme came close to a brace following a quick counter-attack, but Sage Stephens got down and steered behind for a corner-kick.
Substitute Phili nearly pulled the host level through a powerful shot from a tight angle following Devon Titus's long ball, but Magoola tipped for a corner.
The Maroons were close again from the corner when De Jong headed off the upright leaving Barns to slam the follow-up only for Simphiwe Mcineka to clear from the goal-line.
Stellenbosch earned a penalty in the latter stages as Keegan Allan fouled Nku, and saw Fawaaz Basadien step forward to find the equaliser.
Both teams pushed for the winner in a pacey spell, but no more goals were on show and 1-1 it finished out in the Winelands.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Lekoloane, Toure, Enyinnaya, Khiba, Barns, Basadien, Moloisane, Jabaar, Titus, Cupido.
Subs: Masuluke, Onyango, Nduli, Butsaka, Mdaka, Phili, De Jong, Nku, Palace
Richards Bay: Magoola, Gcaba, Mabua, Allan, Mcineka, Mthethwa, Gumede, Mthembu, Bomelo, Mohlamme, Figareido
Subs: Otieno, Dube, Ngema, Ndaba, Mhlongo, Macuphu, Mdantsane, Zikhali, Kutumela