Royal AM rallied back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against winless Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday afternoon.
The host missed Celimpilo Ngema, whose absence opened Siphelele Ntshangase's debut. Meanwhile, Thato Lingwati and Harris Tchilimbou were AM's only alterations.
Gallants worked out the first threat within a while after kickoff as Katlego Otladisa produced goalkeeper Hugo Nyame to an astounding palm from a shot far wide of the box.
John Maduka's boys came alive just after the half-hour mark and riffled their adversaries with Victor Letsoalo's first-time shot in the area and a near post attempt moments prior.
A strong finish to the first half looked on the cards for AM after Zukile Mkhize attacked Tchilimbou's ball from the left-side to beat the foot of the post with a left-footed first-time shot.
Gallants possessed a different energy two minutes in the second half and took the lead when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo brought Maboke Matlakala's ball under control to beat Nyame.
Scroll through the gallery to see the nine new signings for Marumo Gallants
Royal AM suddenly had a lively spark following the introduction of Mfundo Thikazi, who drilled a delivery to the back-post for an unmarked Mkhize to nod home, only for him to miss completely.
Gallants doubled their lead with less than 15 minutes to go through an inch-perfect curler from outside the area by former Orlando Pirates striker Letsie Koapeng.
That said, Royal AM did get a route back within seconds when Letsoalo sent Washington Arubi the wrong way from the penalty spot after Lebohang Mabotja's hand ball.
The leveller followed in the dying minutes after Sedwyn George popped up in the box to turn home a loose ball from the woodwork with his first touch of the ball.
Confirmed line-ups:
Marumo: Arubi, Kgoetyane, Mabotja, Thangwane, Nonyane, Timm, Ntshangase, Ndlondlo, Matlakala, Otladisa, Mnyamane.
Subs: Ndlovu, Sibeko, Koapeng, Khiba, Malongoane, Nhlapo, Manaka, Nevhulamba, Monde.
Royal AM: Nyame, Mkhize, Rikhotso, Lingwati, Monamodi, Mashikinya, Manganyi, Mahlasela, Mashiane, Tchilimbou, Letsoalo.
Subs: Chaine, Masuku, Thikazi, Mahashe, Luthuli, Van Der Ross, Phalane, George, Kobeli.