Stellenbosch FC started their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Nsingizini Hotspurs in the preliminary round first-leg on Saturday afternoon.
Veteran goalkeeper Sage Stephens captained the Maroons in his 100th appearance for the club, and new signings Sanele Barns and Lehlohonolo Mojela were afforded starts too.
There were no fireworks in the opening stages, but instead a fierce tussle throughout on either camp epitomised a majority of the earlier stakes in Durban.
Stellies did come under fire a little past the half-hour mark and needed ferocious piece of goalkeeping from Stephens to keep out a speculative free-kick.
It inspired the visitors to up intensity and ten minutes to halftime a delivery into the area from Kyle Jurgens allocated a lurking Andre De Jong who tapped in easily.
Another one followed six minutes later when defensive uncertainty by the host allowed Devon Titus to come in on the situation and pounced quite comfortably.
Moments into the second period, Hotspurs were keen to halve matters through a dangerously looking free-kick but Stephens came to the fore again and contained the host.
Titus, who dispatched the game's second, looked to add another to his personal stall courtesy of a strong drive from a decent position but he was repelled.
Stellies extended the lead in the final exchanges when Fawaaz Basadien finished off from the penalty spot after Mojela was hauled down in the six-yard area.
The Maroons were in no danger as the match began to wind down but secured a dominant first-leg victory in their maiden continental campaign.
Confirmed line-ups:
Hotspurs: Dlamini, Awuah, Lushaba, M. Dlamini, Nkhosingiphile, Khumalo, Kangumbu, B. Dlamini, Mavuso, N. Dlamini, Simelane
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Jurgens, Basadien, Mcaba, Adams, Nduli, De Jong, Titus, Barns, Mojela