Khama Billiat scored a second-half brace as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated defending champions Bidvest Wits 2-0 in the PSL on Tuesday night to move to within three points of leaders Baroka FC with three games in hand.
It would now appear to be advantage Sundowns in the early stages of the title race as all of their main challengers stumble, including Orlando Pirates, who played to a 0-0 draw at home to high-flying Lamontville Golden Arrows.
In the other game on Tuesday, Cape Town City vs. Baroka FC ended at 1-1 in a fixture that only really sparked into life in the second period.
Wits qualified for the Telkom Knockout final at the weekend and they may have to be satisfied with cup silverware only this campaign after a fifth league defeat in nine games.
Billiat came off the bench to make the difference for Sundowns as he collected an excellent pass from Percy Tau to side-foot home past Darren Keet in the Wits goal on 62 minutes.
It was the Zimbabwe international's first goal in almost two months and just his second of the season.
However, he doubled his tally with eight minutes remaining when Hlompho Kekana's defence-splitting ball found him in space in the box and he drilled the ball low past Keet.
Tau also had a goal ruled out for offside when replays showed he was perhaps level with the last defender.
Golden Arrows goalkeeper Nkosi Gumede proved the hero against Pirates with a string of fine saves at the Orlando Stadium.
Pirates will feel they let two points slip and their tally of only eight goals in 11 league games says much about their potency in front of goal.
Thabo Matalaba, Thabo Qalinge, Musa Nyatama and, especially, Justice Chabalala all had chances to claim the win for the home side, but either missed or found Gumede in unstoppable form.
Cape Town City had to settle for a point against Baroka as Craig Martin scored his first career goal.
City trailed the visitors at that stage after Robin Ngalande had put Baroka ahead with a fine low finish for his first PSL goal in three and a half years.
Letsie Koapeng was particularly wasteful for the home side as they pushed for the three points, while Martin almost found a winner at the death as his curling shot went just the wrong side of the post.