Chippa United and Richards Bay shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in their Betway Premiership match at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday evening.
The Chilli Boys claimed the lead via Ntuthuko Mlotshwa, but the Natal Rich Boyz hit back via a stunning equaliser from Tuli Nashixwa.
The teams struggled to find a passing rhythm in the early stages, as they battled against the cold and wet conditions.
However, Chippa found their footing first and were able to claim the lead midway through the first half.
Justice Figuareido whipped in a cross from the left flank to pick out the run of Ntuthuko Mlotshwa, who scored on debut with a well-placed header in the 23rd minute.
Two minutes later Figuareido should have doubled the lead, with the ball sitting up kindly for him in the penalty area, but he blazed a shot over the target.
Mlotshwa also put a second header over the target just past the half-hour mark, as the Chilli Boys continued to carve out chances.
Bay created a couple of promising moments of their own in the latter minutes of the first half, but the interval arrived with the score 1-0 in favour of the hosts.
However, the Natal Rich Boyz did not have to wait long to get back on level terms: just three minutes into the second half Tuli Nashixwa unleashed a long-range effort that got the better of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to make it 1-1.
The remainder of the match was mostly dominated by Chippa, who had a couple of close shaves in terms of reclaiming the lead, but ultimately the teams settled for a share of the spoils.
The teams will return to Premiership action this coming weekend, with Bay away to Durban City on Saturday 15 August, and Chippa at home to Pirates the following day.
Chippa United (1) 1 (Mlotshwa 23’)
Richards Bay (0) 1 (Nashixwa 48’)
Chippa: Nwabali, Jones (Dlamini 88'), Mobara, Majadibodu, Madingwane (Mfecane 90+5'), Figuareido, Seabi, Mosele, Matrose (Dikaite 73’), Tshabalala (Makara 46’), Mlotshwa (Bonani 73’)
Bay: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Shezi (Mthamosi 46’), Mcineka, Gwele, Mthembu, Nashixwa, Khumalo (Zikhali 63’), Barns (Ngema 88'), Gumede (Nzama 63’), Xulu (Bomelo 88')