Royal AM got back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after edging Stellenbosch 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Stellies made two changes from a humbling loss to Orlando Pirates, as Judas Moseamedi and Mogamad De Goede were both recalled while Royal recalled Ndumiso Mabena.
The visitors had the better chances in the opening exchanges, with Ashley Du Preez and Junior Mendieta having strikes at goal but they both denied by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Steve Barker's charges should have been ahead on the half-hour mark after Sibusiso Mthethwa powered a good header from a corner but Lantshene Phalane heroically headed his effort off the line, with Nyame beaten.
John Maduka's charges had a chance on a counter-attack just before the half-time break after Mabena went through on goal inside the box but his shot was blocked at a crucial moment.
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Stellies were pressing Royal high and they were caught on a counter-attack on the hour-mark as Tebogo Potsane broke the deadlock for the hosts on the hour-mark with a strike past goalkeeper Sage Stephens from a one-on-one.
Barker responded by making two attacking changes in the last 18 minutes, as Stanley Dimgba replaced Du Preez and Waseem Isaacs came on for Moseamedi, both for fresh legs.
Isaacs had a chance to equalise for Stellies in the last ten minutes with a header that was saved by Nyame, as Thwihli Thwahla held on to leapfrog the Western Cape side in third place on the log.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Nyame, Mahashe, Manganyi, Phalane, Mahlasela, Lingwati, Monamodi, Potsane, Mabena, Letsoalo, Mkhize.
Subs: Mabokgwane, George, Mashiane, Matjila, Mabuza, Njoti, Dlamini, Luthuli, Ncobeni.
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Kwinika, De Goede, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Jabaar, Sinkala, Moseamedi, Du Preez, Mendieta.
Subs: Bombay, Johannes, Khunyedi, Letsoenyo, Dimgba, Adams, Isaacs, Robertson, Van Wyk.