Mamelodi Sundowns still need three wins to wrap up another DStv Premiership title after they dropped points against Stellenbosch, with SuperSport United cutting the gap down to 17 points.
The matchday 22 action got underway on Friday as Orlando Pirates thumped Swallows 4-1 in a Soweto derby at the Dobsonville Stadium.
A hat-trick from Monnapule Saleng (6', 60', 90+2') and Terrence Dzvukamanja's 47th-minute goal did the damage for the Buccaneers, rendering Mthokozisi Shwabule's 76th-minute reply inconsequential.
Pirates remain five points behind SuperSport in third place, while the Dube Birds are still only three points clear of the relegation zone in 14th spot.
Soweto arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs kept their top-challenge going with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Richards Bay at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Siyabonga Ngezana's eighth-minute goal settled the contest as the Glamour Boys kept pace with Bucs in fourth place following back-to-back wins. The Natal Rich Boyz's slump continued as they went six games without victory, having now lost four on the spin.
Royal AM climbed back into the top half of the table after they beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 at the Chatsworth Stadium, courtesy of goals in each half from Thabo Matlaba (45') and Ruzaigh Gamildien (80').
A four-match unbeaten run has lifted Thwihli Thwahla up to seventh position, with Babina Noko dropping down to 11th in the standings after a fourth defeat in five outings.
In the late kick-off, Cape Town City registered three consecutive wins for the first time this season as they battled back from a goal down to emerge 2-1 victors against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Bradley Cross gave the Team of Choice the lead on 53 minutes but Mduduzi Mdantsane hit back for the Citizens 11 minutes later before Khanyisa Mayo (68') completed the comeback win.
City closed to within two points of Pirates and Chiefs in fifth place, while Maritzburg are unmoved in 15th spot, three points adrift of safety.
Then on Sunday, Stellenbosch dug deep to hold Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw at the Danie Craven Stadium, which arrested a 15-match winning streak for the league leaders.
The Brazilians hit the front through Cassius Mailula 13 minutes from time but Iqraam Rayners' 87th-minute penalty earned the Maroons (10th) a deserved share of the spoils.
Elsewhere, SuperSport United maintained their grip on second place with a 2-1 triumph over Golden Arrows at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
A brace from Zakhele Lepasa (30', 53') secured back-to-back wins for Matsatsantsa to delay their local rivals' coronation for a little longer. Abafana Bes'thende (12th) aren't safe yet after suffering a third loss in four matches.
Earlier in the day, AmaZulu halted a five-game winless run with a 2-0 success against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy played out to a goalless draw at the Free State Stadium.
Second-half goals from Sede Dion (60') and Mbongeni Gumede (81') took Usuthu back into the top eight, a point ahead of ninth-placed Galaxy. A third defeat in the row left the Chilli Boys just three points off the drop zone in 13th spot.
Matchday 22 results:
Friday, March 3
Swallows 1-4 Orlando Pirates
Saturday, March 4
Richards Bay 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Royal AM 2-0 Sekhukhune United
Maritzburg United 1-2 Cape Town City
Sunday, March 5
Chippa United 0-2 AmaZulu
Marumo Gallants 0-0 TS Galaxy
Stellenbosch 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
SuperSport United 2-1 Golden Arrows