The restart of the 2022-23 DStv Premiership season was headlined by a comfortable win for league leaders and reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who eased past Orlando Pirates 2-0 at a sodden Loftus Versfeld Stadium in one of five matches played on Friday.
The Brazilians picked up where they left off prior to the World Cup break, taking their run of successive victories from six to seven thanks to goals from Mothobi Mvala and Cassius Mailula.
As for the Buccaneers, this result leaves them a full 12 points off the pace of their vanquishers – having also played a game more.
The Soweto giants have won just once in their last six league outings.
The late afternoon matches saw Cape Town City claim a 2-1 home win over Royal AM at the Cape Town Stadium thanks to an injury-time winner from substitute Thabo Nodada, while Stellenbosch and Chippa United played out a 1-1 draw at Danie Craven Stadium after goals from Junior Mendieta and Azola Matrose.
The evening matches featured a 1-0 win for SuperSport United over Marumo Gallants at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Veteran left-back Onismor Bhasera scored the only goal as Matsatsantsa moved into second spot and within seven points of their Tshwane rivals at the top of the log.
TS Galaxy also claimed a key win in a relegation six-pointer against Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium.
Rockets forward Djakaridja Traore put the Team of Choice ahead with an own goal, but he responded with a brace at the other end to see his side surge up the log to ninth spot.
Maritzburg, meanwhile, remain rock bottom after a seventh loss of the season.
The DStv Premiership will continue on Saturday 31 December with three further matches: Richards Bay v Swallows FC, Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United v AmaZulu.
DECEMBER 30 RESULTS
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Orlando Pirates
Stellenbosch FC 1-1 Chippa United
Cape Town City 2-1 Royal AM
Maritzburg United 1-2 TS Galaxy
SuperSport United 1-0 Marumo Gallants