Mamelodi Sundowns made a significant step closer to securing their eighth consecutive South African top-tier title with a convincing 3-0 win in the Betway Premiership on Sunday.
Goals from Lucas Ribeiro (6′), Iqraam Rayners (12′) and Arthur Sales (18) secured the win, to move the Brazilians onto 67 points from 52 games, 15 points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, but having played three games more.
Sundowns need just a point from their final two fixtures against Chippa United and Magesi to seal the title.
The result was also a blow for third-place chasing Stellenbosch, as they ended the afternoon in fourth place with 44 points, one point adrift of Sekhukhune United with two games to play.
Ribeiro was back in the starting line up as a replacement for Marcelo Allende and was quick to justify his inclusion when he reacted sharpest to a free-kick from close range, to smash the ball into the top of the net.
Downs soon doubled their lead as Rayners won the ball back well before firing rapidly past a despairing Oscarine Masuluke in the Stellies’ goal.
There was no let up as Sales picked up a loose ball just six minutes later and beat Masuluke with a smart near-post finish for a third early goal.
Stellenbosch looked to respond through Devon Titus but he steered a pass from Fawaaz Basadien just past a post, with half an hour of the match played.
Khomotjo Lekoloane then came to face to face with Denis Onyango, but the veteran Downs’ stopper was equal to the task.
Basadien looked to test Onyango after the break from a set-piece, but he failed to trouble the keeper, while Ismael Toure came closer with a good header, that Onyango did well to keep out.
Stellies remained on the front foot for the remainder of the tie, with the job already done and dusted for the Champions-elect, who in the end, ran out comfortable winners.