Richards Bay FC missed the chance to retain their DStv Premiership status after a 1-1 draw away to University of Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors were without Siyanda Dlamini but recalled Ntsako Makhubela and Nkosikhona Ndaba, while AmaTuks restored Harold Majadibodu for Khomotso Marebane.
It was a purposed start for AmaTuks who knew the importance of a victory and tried to get a cushion in the way of Thabang Sibanyoni's curler but Salim Magoola palmed for a corner-kick.
The Mamelodi Sundowns loanee posed more problems and managed to get a yard on everyone challenging to nod astray from the subsequent corner.
Richards Bay, who needed a win to sustain their top flight status, were slow out of the blocks but came alive thereafter and bombed forward repeatedly.
The Natal Rich Boys still maintained momentum and were ahead when Yanela Mbuthuma outjumped the defence to head through a sprawling goalkeeper Edward Maova.
Stand A Chance To Win A Vivo V30e Smartphone!
Ahead of the second half, AmaTuks sacrificed Delano Abrahams and brought on Ayanda Mvambi with the host unchanged in this regard.
Richards Bay looked to hold onto the lead but were breached two minutes from the break when Kamogelo Pheeane nodded in the near post from a surging cross.
The pressured spell by the host didn't stop and very nearly bagged the lead after Tebogo Mohlamonyane cracked the woodwork through a snap shot from a tight angle.
With time flowing by, the Natal Rich Boys recovered and came close to going back in front as Mbuthuma's angled shot in the box drew a goal-line clearance.
Mbuthuma caused more problems eight minutes from time with a diving header and quickly regained feet to get a shot in but Maova was on hand and produced a double save.
The AmaTuks shot-stopper denied the visitors again in additional time when he rushed off his line to thwart Sanele Barns profiting from close-range after meeting a cutback.
AmaTuks were reduced to ten players a minute later after Singnkhi Mpedi got his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but the encounter finished all aquare.
Here's how they line up:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mthethwa, Mcineka, Malepe, Makhubela, Barns, Mbuthuma, Mthembu, Ntsundwana
Subs: Jacobs, Mhlongo, Makateng, Figareido, Dube, Gumede, Myaba, Komane, Mohlamme
University of Pretoria: Maova, Makara, Majadibodu, Mahlangu, Mohlamonyane, Abrahams, Mpedi, Julies, Mkhuma, Sibanyoni, Pheeane
Subs: Dlamini, Mokoena, Gum, Mampuru, Mdevulana, Tonisi, Mvambi, Langa, Francis
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!