Bidvest Wits went toe-to-toe with Mamelodi Sundowns in last night's Absa Premiership match between the chasers for the championship and the Clever Boys won the tie 1-0.
Sibusiso Vilakazi's sublime second-half goal saw Wits leapfrog Sundowns into second place, just seven points behind Kaizer Chiefs - though having played one more game.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt fielded his three toughest centre-backs - Thulani Hlatshwayo, Kees Kwakman and Buhle Mkhwanazi - countering a Downs' side who enjoy cultured probes through the middle.
Both sides came into the game 10 points behind Chiefs, though Sundowns had a game in hand.
Lats night's game lacked the ability from either side to slow things down and find some technical mastery to unlock the defence. But that was until Vilakazi produced the piece of skill and refinement in front of goal that decided the game.
Wits ended Sundowns' 15-match league and cup unbeaten run.
The opening 25 minutes were played at a breathtaking tempo, with angled passes across the field at an almost terrifying pace, though without breaching the defences.
In the 25th, Papy Faty for Wits finally did manage to work himself into space in the middle of the box but, off balance, skewed his shot wide off Denis Onyango' left upright.
The hosts got their goal through Vilakazi in the 78th-minute.
Put through by Siyabonga Nhlapo, the midfielder skilfully held the ball up and took it round Onyango, then finished into an open goal.
Downs' Humbled
Bidvest Wits went toe-to-toe with Mamelodi Sundowns in last night's Absa Premiership match between the chasers for the championship and the Clever Boys won the tie 1-0.
Sibusiso Vilakazi's sublime second-half goal saw Wits leapfrog Sundowns into second place, just seven points behind Kaizer Chiefs - though having played one more game.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt fielded his three toughest centre-backs - Thulani Hlatshwayo, Kees Kwakman and Buhle Mkhwanazi - countering a Downs' side who enjoy cultured probes through the middle.
Both sides came into the game 10 points behind Chiefs, though Sundowns had a game in hand.
Lats night's game lacked the ability from either side to slow things down and find some technical mastery to unlock the defence. But that was until Vilakazi produced the piece of skill and refinement in front of goal that decided the game.
Wits ended Sundowns' 15-match league and cup unbeaten run.
The opening 25 minutes were played at a breathtaking tempo, with angled passes across the field at an almost terrifying pace, though without breaching the defences.
In the 25th, Papy Faty for Wits finally did manage to work himself into space in the middle of the box but, off balance, skewed his shot wide off Denis Onyango' left upright.
The hosts got their goal through Vilakazi in the 78th-minute.
Put through by Siyabonga Nhlapo, the midfielder skilfully held the ball up and took it round Onyango, then finished into an open goal.