Mamelodi Sundowns inched ever closer to an eighth consecutive South African top-flight title with a composed 3-0 victory over Richards Bay on Wednesday.
Arthur Sales scored a superb opener in just eight minutes of playing before Iqraam Rayners added a second with a well-taken header in 28 minutes.
Marcelo Allende’s goal was the final nail in the visitor’s coffin.
This result, coupled with second-placed Orlando Pirates’ 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United, saw Downs stretch their lead at the top of the standings to 12 points, having played two extra games over the Buccaneers.
Sundowns dominated the first half and knocked the ball around with ease before looking to open up their 14th-placed opponents.
A lively Rayners put in an early cross that Ian Otieno did well to intercept. But Sundowns were soon in the lead, after a slow build-up, when a whipped-in delivery to the far post on the left side of the pitch from Teboho Mokoena perfectly picked out Sales, who volleyed home unopposed.
The home side continued to pass the ball around, and Teboho Mokoena had a good shot well saved by Otieno, before the home team scored another well-taken goal when Rayners flicked a Tashreeq Matthews delivery from the left.
Richards Bay were lucky to only go into the half-time break two goals down, but were soon facing a mountain to climb as the Brazilians extended their lead to two goals through Allende.
The industrious Chilean fought for his ball inside the box and beat his man before smashing the ball past a despairing Otieno.
Matthews had a close-range shot saved on the hour mark, while Lucas Ribeiro’s elusive search for a goal continued as he saw a 62nd-minute effort disallowed for handball before he bundled the ball into the back of the net.
A rare foray forward from the Natal Rich Boyz saw Yanela Mbuthuma break down the right flank and fire a cross that Thulani Gumede was unable to make use of.
Otieno was, meanwhile, being kept busy at the other end and was well placed to keep out a Ribeiro shot from the edge of the box on 75 minutes.
Downs continued to press but with no real urgency and ultimately saw out this game with ease, and celebrated at the final whistle as another title came into view for the Masandawana fans.