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Cape Town - A win for AmaTuks over Golden Arrows at Tuks Stadium saw the home side avoiding automatic relegation.
Arrows made the early running and showed more purpose and fluency in their play. But the Durban team failed to make the most of their chances and the home goal remained untroubled.
It was Tuks who began to look the more dangerous side after 15 minutes, and they could have taken the lead on 20 minutes, but Lennox Bacela's diving header was off the mark.
There was, however, to be no denying AmaTuks their goal, Vuyisile Ntombayithethi nodding in a 29th minute free kick delivered by Ethiopian marksman Getaneh Kebede.
Kwanele Hlongwane nearly leveled the game for Arrows a few minutes later, but was unlucky to see his shot striking the woodwork.
It was Kebede who bagged the University of Pretoria's second goal, with his 42nd minute free kick going through a crowded penalty box before hitting the back of net.
With the Tshwane side happy to sit back and preserve their lead, there was little goalmouth action after the restart.
The first chance of the second half was to fall to Thabo Nemukondeni, but having gone in on goal, he shot straight at Arrows keeper Maximillian Mbaeva on 64 minutes.
Thabo Mnyamane then forced another save out of Mbaeva with a free kick as Tuks remained in control.
However, the home side were to be reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Nemukondeni was sent off after a second yellow card.
This saw Abafana Bes'thende begin to push forward in search of a goal, and they were rewarded when Gladwin Shitolo found the net in added time.
But Shaun Bartlett's side did not have too many issues holding on for the win, which sees them end the season in 15th place and on their way to the relegation play-offs next week.
The defeat meanwhile cost the KZN side a top eight berth, as they finished behind SuperSport United on goal difference.
