AmaZulu got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership following a 1-0 victory over KwaZulu-Natal rivals Richards Bay FC on Friday evening.
Richard Ofori, Thembela Sikhakhane, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Bongani Zungu and Nkosikhona Radebe were restored by Usuthu, while Ian Otieno, Lwandile Mabuya, Lindokuhle Zikhali and Siboniso Conco came in for the Natal Rich Boys.
Usuthu looked for a bright start through a twist-and-turn attempt by Radebe from a clever angle, but goalkeeper Otieno produced a save.
The Natal Rich Boys were keen to hit the ground too and had a long-range effort by Thulani Gumede narrowly shave the goal of the opposite number Ofori.
However, a substitution ten minutes to halftime for the visitors saw coach Ronnie Gabriel bring on Sanele Zulu for Mabuya.
Yanela Mbuthuma almost made the breakthrough for the visitors before the break with a speculative effort from outside the area, but he failed to trouble Ofori.
AmaZulu looked to the bench at the resumption and introduced Rowan Human for Radebe, while Conco made way for Wandile Ngema on the side of the Natal Rich Boys.
Human didn't take long to get going and played a smart combination with Ethan Brooks before going high and wide of the intended target.
The chances continued coming later on as veteran fullback Mphahlele, who have been in out of the team this season struck the upright through snap shot from the area.
Usuthu's persistence paid dividends midway through the second half when defender Taariq Fielies moved into a promising area following a corner and rattled the back of the net with his first goal of the season.
Richards Bay regained momentum inside the final ten minutes and almost drew level after a snap shot from Zikhali from close-range flew narrowly wide.
Usuthu threatened a second goal minutes later from the head of Elmo Kambindu following a corner but didn't find the net after a superb save from Otieno.
Nevertheless, the host were able to run down the clock and claimed the maximum points to return to winning ways.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Ofori, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Mphahlele, Fielies, Zungu, Brooks, Moremi, Motshwari, Kambindu, Radebe
Subs: Mothwa, Gumede, Mthethwa, Ekstein, Ngobeni, Mbanjwa, Mashigo, Ighodaro, Human
Richards Bay: Otieno, Mabuya, Ndaba, Mabua, Allan, Mthethwa, Conco, Mthembu, Mbuthuma, Zihkhali, Gumede
Subs: Manqele, Bomelo, Ngema, Kutumela, Mhlongo, Macuphu, Zulu, Ndelu, Mntungwa