Golden Arrows secured their highest finish in the Betway Premiership in five seasons after they played out to a 0-0 draw with TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, May 23.
Abafana Bes'thende had already qualified for the MTN 8 courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Chippa United last weekend and the point they earned in Umlazi saw them close out the campaign in sixth position.
The Rockets (12th) went unbeaten in their four league matches under Bernard Parker, who picked up six points during his brief spell after replacing Adnan Beganovic at the helm before the Nedbank Cup final.
Arrows were looking to sign off on a seven-match unbeaten run, while Galaxy finally ended their dismal run of form in the top flight when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on May 12 to arrest a 13-game winless run which had dashed any hopes they had of qualifying for the MTN 8.
Edward Maova was named Man of the Match after making three saves to keep the visitors at bay, although Manqoba Mngqithi's side managed twice as many shots throughout the 90 minutes.
The majority of the KZN outfit's six shots in the first half came from range, but they only worked Sipho Maseti twice in the goalkeeper's second start of the campaign.
Arrows were even more adventurous in the second half as they enjoyed more of the ball, only for their finishing to let them down as they hit the target just twice from their 10 attempts at goal.
Parker's side had to do more defending and Maseti will be happy to have registered his first-ever clean sheet. Junior Dion would manage just one shot in the 90 minutes, but he still came away with the Golden Boot after finishing on 14 goals in the scoring charts.
Golden Arrows 0
TS Galaxy 0
Golden Arrows: E. Maova, K. Shezi, O. Comara, N. Mabaso, T. Mantshiyane, N. Zwane (N. Gasa 46'), N. Dlamini, I. Cisse (S. Madonsela 46'), J. Dion, S. Mthanti (J. Karelse 57'), A. Booysen (P. Kumalo 81').
TS Galaxy: S. Maseti, S. Xulu, L. Motaung, V. Zulu, M. Mncwango, S. Maduna (M. Mvelase 84'), N. Nkosi (K. Maake 84'), M. Rantoa (S. Ngwenya 84'), S. Mahlambi, S. George (S. Nguessan 69'), T. Kakora (M. Mbunjana 46').