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Pretoria - Amos Ngcobo scored a late penalty to guide Wits to a tough 1-0 victory over hosts SuperSport United in their Absa Premiership opener at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
Last season's third place finishers, Wits got their new season up and running and had Sibusiso Vilakazi to thank, after he was brought down inside the area, resulting in the penalty.
A dire first half saw little in the way of action for either side, with neither able to carve out any meaningful opportunities.
Wits came closest on the stroke of half-time when SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was forced to punch away a free-kick, but that would be as good as it got for the two teams, who needed plenty of improvement after the break.
The game was finally sparked into life in the 70th minute when SuperSport's Michael Morton was adjudged to have fouled Vilakazi inside the area, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Ngcobo stepped up and converted the spot kick, which took a touch off the upright on the way to beating Williams, who had no answer.
Wits goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane pulled off a fantastic save at his feet five minutes from the end to deny United an equaliser, after Thato Mokeke's good work allowed Sibusiso Khumalo to get his shot away on target, only to be thwarted by the shot-stopper.
Mabokgwane was having another stunning evening in goal after his superb display in Wits' MTN8 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic last week, where he pulled off a host of saves to book the Clever Boys' spot in the next round.
