The University of Pretoria suffered their second successive defeat as they lost 1-0 to Highlands Park in the Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation play-offs earlier today.
Highlands Park, buoyed by their 3-0 win over Mbombela United in their opening fixture, had a capacity crowd at their Makhulong Stadium that looked to have made the difference on the day.
The Lions of the North, who have defied all expectations this season by fighting for promotion, were at their usual best defensively and played to their strengths finding a second-half winner with a wonderfully taken set-piece.
Attacking midfielder Jose Garcia made the most of his opportunity five minutes after the break as he beat AmaTuks goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee at his near-post, with the shot-stopper unmoved as the ball arrowed into the back of the net.
Shaun Bartlett's side looked uninspired for large spells of the game and the defeat now leaves them in serious danger with two losses from two games.
A win for Allan Freese's men in their next game against Mbombela on 15 June could see them secure a place in the top flight of South African Football - for the first time since the club's re-admission in 2003.