Stellenbosch moved up to second place in the DStv Premiership for a couple of hours at least after they cruised to a 3-0 win over Royal AM at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.
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Steve Barker's side made it 12 matches unbeaten in the league to go two points clear of Orlando Pirates ahead of their trip to Sekhukhune United later in the day.
Thwihli Thwahla found the Stellenbosch heat a little too much to bear as they slumped to their joint-biggest defeat of the season.
Stellenbosch FC move into 2nd on the #DStvPrem standings with a comfortable win 🍇
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 30, 2024
Can Pirates respond when they play Sekhukhune Utd later today? 💭 pic.twitter.com/vFsnViGaGj
Stellies were looking to do the league double over Royal AM after emerging 3-1 victors in the reverse fixture at the Harry Gwala Stadium on 18 August, while the visitors sought to end their 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions with a third win in four games.
Barker made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Cape Town Spurs last time out as Sage Stephens returned in goal, with Kyle Jurgens, Ismael Toure, Nhlanhla Mgaga and Andre de Jong also earning recalls.
Meanwhile, John Maduka kept faith with the same starting line-up that secured a 2-0 victory over Cape Town City most recently.
The hosts settled down quickly in sweltering conditions and got the crowd up on their feet in the 26th minute when Devin Titus opened the scoring from inside the area after latching onto a dinked pass from Iqraam Rayners, who was making his 50th appearance for the club.
𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗮𝗮𝗮𝗹𝗹!
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) March 30, 2024
25' – Devin Titus latches onto a dinked pass from Iqraam Rayners before firing us into the lead!
Stellenbosch FC ①-⓪ Royal AM pic.twitter.com/rMiaI307Ri
Rayners also had a hand in their second goal 12 minutes later as he combined with Titus to set up De Jong for a close-range finish, although Siphesihle Msomi got the final touch on the ball before it crossed the line.
𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗮𝗮𝗮𝗹𝗹!
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) March 30, 2024
38' – Andre de Jong doubles our advantage from close range after good build-up play from Titus and Rayners.
Stellenbosch FC ②-⓪ Royal AM pic.twitter.com/pKGgC9T9e8
Leading 2-0 at the break, Rayners took just 11 second-half minutes to mark his milestone with a clinical strike to register his eighth goal of the campaign, putting him two behind top scorer Lucas Ribeiro in the race for the Golden Boot.
𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗮𝗮𝗮𝗹𝗹!
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) March 30, 2024
56' – Iqraam Rayners marks his 50th DStv Premiership appearance for the club in typical fashion 🎯
Stellenbosch FC ③-⓪ Royal AM pic.twitter.com/kaNfPU0lND
Comfortable with the scoreline, Barker made it a special day for Shaakir Ahmed by handing the DStv Diski Challenge captain his senior debut from the bench on 79 minutes.
It's a moment to remember for our DDC captain, Shaakir Ahmed, who has come on to make his senior debut ✨️ pic.twitter.com/7IGToW5Eqo
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) March 30, 2024
The Maroons will have little time to savour their victory as they travel to the FNB Stadium for a clash with Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday, 2 April and Thwihli Thwahla take on TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium the following day.
Stellenbosch (2) 3 (Titus 26', De Jong 38', Rayners 56')
Royal AM 0
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, K. Jurgens (M. Shaakir 79'), T. Moloisane, I. Toure, F. Basadien, S. Nduli (Q. Sibande 78'), N. Mgaga, D. Titus (M. Boji 78'), A. de Jong (J. Adams 61'), A. Oura, I. Rayners (A. Van Wyk 61').
Royal AM: H. Nyame, K. Shezi, W. Mabuza, A. Jiyane, T. Matlaba, S. Msomi (L. Mashiane 81'), K. Mahlasela, A. Maxwele (K. Ndlovu 81'), M. Sera (R. Gamildien 46'), S. Sithole (M. Thikazi 64'), S. George (S. Magaqa 64').