Richards Bay FC started the Premier Soccer League Promotion/Relegation Play-offs with a 1-0 win over University of Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon.
The Natal Rich Boys recalled Nkosikhona Ndaba and Moses Mthembu, while AmaTuks were without Samuel Julies through suspension and brought in Promise Mkhuma.
After a quiet start, the host went ahead when Somila Ntsundwana came in from the blind-side to cut in to the edge of the area inside the 23rd minute and nestled in the far corner.
The lead was under threat on the half-hour mark as Thabang Sibanyoni fired through the gloves of Salim Magoola from a tight angle, but it was called back and disallowed for offside.
Richards Bay continued to hold firm and in fact could've added to the tally later on when Yanela Mbuthuma showed telling footwork to the area before going wide of the mark.
No substitutions were made as the second half commenced, with the Natal Rich Boys in the ascendancy and AmaTuks in need of a comeback.
The runners-up from the Motsepe Foundation Championship showed a lot of energy following the resumption and thoroughly camp in the box of the counterparts.
With the clock ticking away, AmaTuks pulled on fresh set of legs in the latter exchanges as Tebogo Mohlamonyane came on for Sikhosonke Langa.
Both teams didn't stop going at each other though, with the goal-scorer Ntsundwana going wide of the area to get an angle before dragging his shot across the face of goal from an acute position.
Richards Bay contained the momentum in the closing exchanges and walked off victorious, with Baroka FC up next for them on Saturday whereas AmaTuks return to action next Wednesday.
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Mabua, Dube, Mcineka, Malepe, Makhubela, Barns, Mbuthuma, Mthembu, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mhlongo, Dlamini, Figareido, Mthethwa, Gumede, Myaba, Komane, Mohlamme
University of Pretoria: Maova, Mahlangu, Langa, Makara, Majadibodu, Marebane, Mpedi, Mkhuma, Sibanyoni, Abrahams, Pheena
Subs: Dlamini, Mokoena, Gum, Mvambi, Makungo, Mampuru, Mohlamonyane, Mdevulana, Tonisi
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