Royal AM secured their DStv Premiership status on the final day of the season thanks to a 2-1 win over 10-man Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.
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Thwihli Thwahla finished three points clear of Richards Bay, who managed to beat Stellenbosch 2-1, although it wasn't enough to prevent them from having to navigate the promotion/relegation playoffs.
John Maduka's side climbed above the Dube Birds up to 13th place as they halted a seven-match winless run, with Swallows losing three of their last four games.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Levy Mashiane opened the scoring in the 13th minute to boost their prospects of staying up, but their lead lasted just nine minutes as Lindokuhle Mtshali hit back for the Soweto outfit with his fourth goal of the season.
Mtshali soon went from hero to zero though, after receiving a straight red card on 35 minutes to make Musa Nyatama's task that much harder.
Maduka had to reshuffle his pack twice before halftime due to injuries to Jeffrey Dlamini and Khulekani Shezi, with the two teams going into the break at level pegging.
The visitors would eventually capitalise on the extra man when Sabelo Sithole got his name on the scoresheet in the 56th minute to complete the comeback win.
Moroka Swallows (1) 1 (Mtshali 22')
Royal AM (1) 2 (Mashiane 13', Sithole 56')
Moroka Swallows: T. Mbanjwa, M. Mphahlele, F. Tshanini (S. Khumalo 73'), S. Sibiya, N. Nyauza (T. Ngwenya 84'), A. Mahlonoko (L. Mbanjwa 73'), G. Khupe, R. Sanou (M. Rampa 62'), L. Mtshali, G. Mhango, L. Koapeng (N. Ngqonga 62').
Royal AM: H. Nyame, K. Shezi (L. Manganyi 40'), T. Lingwati, M. Sikakane, T. Matlaba, J. Ncobeni (S. Msomi 79'), J. Dlamini (S. Kobedi 26'), K. Mahlasela, L. Mashiane (S. Cele 79'), S. George, S. Sithole (B. Dlamini 79').