Stellenbosch remained unbeaten in the Betway Premiership under Gavin Hunt after they played out to a 1-1 draw with Magesi at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday.
Langelihle Phili opened the scoring 10 minutes before halftime, although Samuel Darpoh quickly hit back for Dikwena tsa Meetse before Hunt's side were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Wonderboy Makhubu on 73 minutes.
The Maroons remain unmoved in 13th position, but they went one point clear of Marumo Gallants, who have played two games more.
Stellies turned their attention back to domestic matters after being eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup and they looked to make it back-to-back wins in the league, having beaten Sekhukhune United 1-0 in Hunt's first game in charge on January 20.
It ends all square on our return to Danie Craven Stadium 🤝
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 18, 2026
Stellenbosch FC 1⃣–1⃣ Magesi FC #HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/EmEeXLUxQt
Magesi had gone winless in their last six outings, with a 2-0 defeat to Golden Arrows on February 13 leaving them rooted to the foot of the table on 12 points, three adrift of safety.
The visitors nearly hit the front after just six minutes when Sage Stephens was forced into a diving save to keep out a strike from range and they managed six shots at goal in the first half, twice as many as the Cape Winelands outfit.
Their first real chance came on 32 minutes as Makhubu latched onto a ball at the far post and fired straight at Elvis Chipezeze, but the hosts were celebrating the lead just three minutes later courtesy of a clinical finish from Phili.
However, Allan Freese's side quickly restored parity through Darpoh seven minutes later, with the Ghanaian midfielder registering his first goal of the season.
The hosts pushed for a second goal after the restart and Phili threatened again with a powerful effort from range that stung the palms of Chipezeze on 55 minutes before Thabo Moloisane struck the crossbar four minutes later.
Stellenbosch then suffered a setback 17 minutes from time when Makhubu was shown a straight red card for dangerous play after going into a challenge with a high boot.
But Magesi failed to take advantage of the extra man in the closing stages and the Maroons held on for a valuable point.
Stellenbosch (1) 1 (Phili 35')
Magesi (1) 1 (Darpoh 42')
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, K. Enyinnaya, T. Moloisane, M. Lebusa, A. Tiwani (O. Mdaka 90+1'), I. Jabaar (C. Butsaka 90+1'), M. Mthiyane, D. Titus, F. Abrahams (A. Cupido 61'), W. Makhubu, L. Phili (W. Jooste 90+1').
Magesi: E. Chipezeze, S. Ndlozi, T. Makgoga, M. Buthelezi, J. Mokone, T. Mashigo, S. Darpoh, N. Raphadu (T. Nyama 61'), E. Chirambadare (L. Mashiane 87'), L. Mtshali (K. Mariba 61'), M. Vandala (T. Masegela 81').