The Students headed into the match needing only a point to make sure of their Premiership survival, and following a run of 13 games without a win, a draw seemed all too likely.

The result was not what Leopards were after though, with Lidoda Duvha, who reportedly parted ways with coach Vladislav Heric 24 hours before kick-off, now only two points above the drop zone with two games to go.

Both sides looked up for it in the opening minutes at the Bidvest Stadium, although it was Leopards' Rodney Ramagalela who got the first sight of goal, firing his fierce drive just wide.

Wits looked solid in the middle of the park but lacked the killer pass in the final third, and the visitors again came close, Bongolethu Jayiya wasting a good chance after shooting off target unmarked in the area.

Wits keeper Emile Baron remained largely untested for the first-half, but an awkward challenge from Kingston Nkhatha saw coach Roger de Sa needing to substitute the shot stopper at the break, Energy Murambadoro the man to take between the sticks for the second period.

Jayiya came close again shortly after the restart with a free-kick from 25-yards out, but Azwindini Maphaha did well to stop the shot from creeping in.

Bradley Ritson almost got his name up in lights with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, but his effort fizzed just wide of the angle.