Maritzburg United struck late in the second half to rescue a 1-1 draw against Richards Bay FC in the DStv Premiership on Friday evening.
United featured King Ndlovu in goal again and saw Tumelo Njoti given a rare outing, while Richards Bay missed the suspended Abel Mabaso and had Luvuyo Memela back in the line-up.
The Team of Choice were desperate to settle quickest right from kick-off, but their provincial rivals refused to crack and smothered.
Richards Bay endured a lot of courage straight from the opening and hit the upright through a curling shot from a tight angle around the area by Somila Ntsundwana.
The host trailed in the remaining seven minutes to halftime when Sanele Barns skipped two challengers on the edge of the area and riffled in the bottom-corner.
Fadlu Davids' men very nearly conceded a second on the stroke of halftime with a snap-shot in the box from Ntsundwana, but he couldn't get the better of Ndlovu.
Maritzburg turned out for the second half and instituted a change in Rowan Human for Thabo Moloisane, whilst the visitors remained unchanged.
The Natal Rich Boys lead were under threat early in the half where a snap-shot from a header in off the ground by Njoti following Brandon Theron's cross, but goalkeeper Salim Magoola parried.
However, Richards Bay didn't sit back and invited pressure but were out on the front-foot through deliveries around the final third which Ntsundwana particularly failed to steer in.
The Team of Choice were revived in time added on and snatched a point after a cross from Theron saw Genino Palace rose high to head through the gloves of Magoola.
The outcome leaves the Team of Choice at the bottom of the table, while Richards Bay have moved up to eighth spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Maritzburg United: Magoola, Maphathe, Mabua, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Mhlongo, Barns, Mathebula, Hlongwa, Memela, Ntsundwana
Richards Bay: Ndlovu, De Goede, Theron, Moloisane, Ndengane, Palace, Makume, Samu, Njoti, Jooste, Kimvuidi
Subs: Leaner, Ritchie, Peprah, Bhengu, Human, Conco, Soukouna, Tlolane
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