Kabelo Dlamini came off the bench to score the only goal of the match as Orlando Pirates overcame Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium in uMlazi on Sunday.
Dlamini’s sublime 82nd-minute free kick saw the Buccaneers retain their 100% winning record in the league, and moved them level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
As expected, the hosts set up in a conservative 5-3-2 formation, with plans to firstly win the wing battles with Pirates’ flying fullbacks.
Their second plan was to make the pitch as wide as possible with Lwandile Mabua on the right and Tshepo Mabua bombing on as the wing-backs in transition.
Pirates survived an early scare off one of those counter-attacks, with young defender Thabiso Sesane guilty of a schoolboy blunder.
The 24-year-old’s failed attempted clearance landed at the feet of Justice Figuareido and before he could shoot, Sesane jumped on his back and took a yellow card for the team.
Richards Bay have often proven a difficult side for Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro to beat. Since his arrival, the Spaniard has managed just one win in five previous games against them before this one. The KwaZulu-Natal side also eliminated his team from the Carling Knockout Cup last year.
The visitors took greater control of the game as the half went on, with the hosts being forced back into their box by increasing pressure.
Ian Otieno, who deputised for Salim Magoola in the Richards Bay goal, made his first save in the 42nd minute from a marauding Deon Hotto.
The Namibian international found himself on the edge of the box and unleashed a dipping shot on goal, but Otieno did well to palm it away from danger to keep the scores level heading into the break.
The two coaches made changes at half-time, looking to shore up their defences.
Pirates brought on Nkosinathi Sibisi for Sesane, who was on a yellow card, while Richards Bay’s Brandon Truter sent on the more experienced Tlakusani Mthethwa for 19-year-old Thabiso Ndelu.
Pirates almost made an early breakthrough in the second half as midfielder Thalente Mbatha unleashed a trademark shot from outside the box, but Otiena was in inspired form as he dived low to his right to save in the 42nd minute.
Five minutes later, Figureido responded for Richards Bay with a snapshot of his own, but Sipho Chaine in the Pirates goal came alive to make his first save of the match.
Pirates raised their level in the latter stages of the game to strike late and steal the three points.
Richards Bay will head off for a break and will next take to the field on October 19 in the Carling Knockout Cup, while Pirates have an MTN8 final date with Stellenbosch at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
In the other matches on Sunday, Polokwane City and Stellenbosch FC played to a 1-1 draw in Limpopo, while Chippa United beat TS Galaxy 2-1 in East London.