Rayners scores twice to help Stellenbosch to victory

STELLENBOSCH - Iqraam Rayners scored twice in the South African Premiership on Saturday in his remarkable transformation from a SuperSport United flop to a Stellenbosch star.

His brace helped Stellenbosch to a 5-2 home victory over Golden Arrows in the Western Cape Winelands, and sixth place in the table with three rounds remaining.

Rayners began this season with SuperSport, the Pretoria outfit he joined from Stellenbosch three years ago.

In 13 appearances for United he failed to score and returned to his former club during the mid-season transfer window.

Rayners has been a revelation in his second spell at Stellenbosch, scoring 15 goals in 11 Premiership and FA Cup matches.

His goals against Arrows lifted his league tally to nine -- two less than Golden Boot chart-topper Peter Shalulile from champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rayners could play five more matches this season -- three in the Premiership and two in the FA Cup if his club win their FA Cup semi-final at home to Sekhukhune United next weekend.

"Iqraam thrives in one-on-one situations," says Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker. "When you have a striker like him, you must play to his strength."

In other matches, fifth-placed Cape Town City came from behind to win 2-1 at Royal AM and AmaZulu moved away from relegation zone with a 2-0 home victory over Sekhukhune.