AmaZulu denied Swallows FC back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership after the sides played to a goalless draw on Wednesday evening.
A debut for Tercious Malepe highlighted AmaZulu's line-up, which also a return for Xola Mlambo and Lehlohonolo Major. Swallows , on the other hand, handed Sipho Sibiya a start in defence.
Swallows almost snatched the lead from a free-kick outside the six-yard area by Ruzaigh Gamildien off a foul by Tapelo Xoki, but goalkeeper Veli Mothwa watched the effort fly over the top.
Last season's runners-up began to show face on the back of their quiet start and from an awkward angle, Matarr Cesaay looked to launch a low attempt but he was averted by Yagan Sasman.
The Dube Birds enjoyed a strong finish to the first half after a counter-attack set Dillon Solomons in from out wide, but he was smothered by Mothwa with the follow-up cleared by Malepe.
Scroll through the gallery below to see AmaZulu's new signings for the 21/22 campaign
AmaZulu continued to find the going tough after halftime, as Thabo Matlaba launched a smart curl on the edge of the area narrowly beyond the top corner.
The Durban-based side started to come alive later on and worked in a free-kick from Mlambo which didn't trouble Virgil Vries, as Kgotso Moleko, Luvuyo Memela and Bonginkosi Ntuli entered.
Swallows were almost caught on the back-foot just before the closing stages as Ntuli nodded a header from a ball at the near post inches wide.
It became an open affair as the final whistle dawned closer and closer, but neither side were able to find a breakthrough as the encounter finished goalless in Durban.
Confirmed line-ups:
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Malepe, Xoki, Zulu, Sithebe, Makhaula, Mlambo, Ceesay, Maduna, Majoro.
Subs: Boshoff, Mgwazela, Khumalo, Moleko, Memela, Moremi, De Jong, Ekstein, Ntuli.
Swallows: Vries, Matlaba, Sait, Sibiya, Sasman, Nyatama, Mokoena, Matlou, Ndlovu, Solomons, Gamildien.
Subs: February, Mohamme, Mere, Khupe, Wambi, Saleng, Mbokoma, Makgalwa, Musonda