Richards Bay reclaimed second place in the DStv Premiership standings after two late goals secured a victory over 10-man Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looked more likely to score in Phokeng but the 74th-minute dismissal of Sibusiso Kumalo gave the Natal Rich Boyz renewed hope as Sanele Barns and Tshepo Mabua struck late on to inflict a fourth defeat in five games on Dan Malesela's side.
Gallants were still seeking their first win of the new year, although a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch last time out arrested a three-match losing streak. Meanwhile, Richards Bay looked to get their top-two challenge back on track after being beaten 2-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns most recently.
The home team had slightly less possession in the first half but they made better use of the ball and created the majority of the chances.
Two of those came inside the opening quarter of an hour, with Katlego Otladisa lining up a shot from range that was well saved by Jamal Salim on 12 minutes before Ranga Chivaviro was denied by the visiting goalkeeper at close range moments later after getting on the end of Otladisa's cross.
The Limpopo outfit threatened again on 21 minutes when Makgobola Nkomo steered a header just over the crossbar from a corner, while the visitors fashioned their first real opportunity seven minutes later as Moses Mthembu tested Washington Arubi with a strike from inside the box.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the first half as they went in search of the opening goal but Salim stood firm to deny Otladisa and Chivaviro in quick succession before saving a header from Monde Mphambaniso on the stroke of halftime.
Gallants were quickly on the attack after the restart, with Celimpilo Ngema firing wide of the right post from distance in the opening minute, while Celimpilo Ngema dragged his shot wide of the far post from an acute angle on the right in the 50th minute.
Arubi was called into action for only the second time on the hour mark to keep out Siyanda Msani's strike at his near post, which sparked a frantic 10-minute period at both ends.
However, the two keepers were mere onlookers as Somila Ntsundwana and Mthembu failed to hit the target for Richards Bay, while Otladisa, Chivaviro, Kumalo and Ngema were all guilty of not testing Salim.
Gallants then suffered a setback 16 minutes from time when Kumalo was shown a straight red card and the Natal Rich Boyz took full advantage of the extra man to break the deadlock on 80 minutes.
Barns gave Arubi no chance as he slotted home into the bottom left corner of the net from inside the area to register his second goal of the season.
The top-flight newcomers wrapped up the win six minutes later when Mabua followed up to beat Arubi after he had saved Ovella Ochieng's initial shot from inside the area on the left.
Marumo Gallants 0
Richards Bay (0) 2 (Barns 80', Mabua 86')
Marumo Gallants:W. Arubi, T. Khiba, M. Nkomo, S. Kumalo, L. Mabotja, S. Mdlinzo, S. Sibeko (J. Malongoane 39'), M. Mphambaniso, C. Ngema, K. Otladisa (B. Bobete 88'), R. Chivaviro.
Richards Bay: J. Salim, K. Maphathe, N. Nyauza (H. Majadibodu 90+2'), S. Mthethwa, T. Mabua, S. Barns, M. Mathebula, N. Zungu (A. Mabaso 46'), S. Msani (L. Mabuya 83'), S. Ntsundwana (Y. Mbuthuma 75'), M. Mthembu (O. Ochieng 75').