Stellenbosch FC fought back to secure a 3-1 win over Royal AM in a DStv Premiership match played at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

The win saw Stellies climb up to the third spot in the league standings and they will be targeting another win when they play host to SuperSport United on August 26.

Royal, on the other hand, remained 14th in the standings and they will be desperate for their first victory of the season when they host TS Galaxy on August 27.

Thwihli Thwahla looked dangerous against the run of play with the likes of Mfundo Thikazi and Sphiwe Cele using their explosive speed to unsettle Stellies' shaky defence.

The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark after the visitors had lost possession and Cele embarked on a solo run before scoring to hand Royal a 1-0 lead and the hosts were leading at the interval.

However, Stellies came back an improved side after the restart and they managed to level matters in the 53rd minute as Devon Titus set up Dean van Rooyen who netted to make it 1-1.

The visitors then exerted pressure on the Thwihli Thwahla defence and they took the lead for the first time when Fawaaz Basadien set up Jayden Adams who netted to hand Stellenbosch a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute.

Royal's backline was rattled and they conceded again with 18 minutes left as Genino Palace's long pass found Iqraam Rayners who beat his marker before scoring to seal Stellenbosch's 3-1 win over Royal.

Royal (1) 1 (Cele 30')

Stellenbosch (0) 3 (Van Rooyen 53', Adams 70', Rayners 72')

ROYAL AM: Ngcobo, Manganyi, Sikakane (Maxwele 78'), Mogaila, Sera (Mabuza 62'), Macuphi (Gamildien 78'), Dlamini, Cele, Kobedi (Msomi 78'), Thikazi (Ncobeni 78'), Sithole.

STELLENBOSCH: Langeveldt; van Rooyen, Toure, Moloisane, Basadien (Sibande 80'), Mthethwa, Palace, Adams (Sekgota 85'), de Jong (Nduli 80'), Titus (Van Wyk 65'), Rayners (Boji 84').