Pretoria – A late Ofentse Nato header sent Wits through to the Gauteng Cup final later in the evening, beating SuperSport United 1-0 in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
Nato found himself unmarked inside the box as he completed a Faty Papi corner kick in the 79th minute for the crucial score.
However, the Clever Boys had been outplayed by the hosts especially in the first 45 minutes, in the first meaningful pre-season action.
Wits' young goalkeeper Steven Hoffman was in fine form in the opening stanza, twice denying United midfielder Thabiso Nkoana.
In the second half, United again proved testing in front of goals.
First, Mario Booysens shot wide, while Wits defender Thomas Sweswe brilliantly cleared a probing Sameegh Doutie cross on the right as the visitors' defence held firm.
With the season kicking off next month, both sides debuted recent signings.
It included former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena for Wits, while United gave a first outing to wayward fullback Innocent Mdledle. – Sapa