Flavio Silva picked up his good form from last season with an early opener at the Mbombela Stadium after just seven minutes.
Khetukuthula Ndlovu levelled on the stroke of half-time but Wandile Duba came on in the second half, for an injured Da Silva, to win the game with goals in the 56th and 66th minutes.
Reflecting on the result, Da Cruz insisted his team dominated the majority of the game and pleased with the strength of his bench as he made four changes in the second half, with Duba, Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa all contributing off the bench.
"It is very important for the moment, not just the starting eleven, but the squad. The players that came on today helped keep the level very high," Da Cruz told SuperSport TV after the game.
"For 75 minutes we controlled the game – the first part of the first half and the second half. It was just the last 15 minutes of the first half that we didn't control the game and we conceded the goal."
"What we saw is what we expect in every game," added Da Cruz as his side controlled the tempo of the game.
"Sometimes we have to manage the tempo and play more slowly, not so fast. But we will learn step by step."
Luke Baartman was delighted to be recognised for his performance with the Man of the Match award in Kaizer Chiefs' 3-1 Betway Premiership win over newly promoted Kruger United.
Kruger United head coach Abram Mongoya was proud of certain aspects of his team's performance in their debut match in the Betway Premiership after losing 3-1 to Kaizer Chiefs.
Half-time substitute Wandile Duba scored twice as Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to beat newly promoted Kruger United 3-1 in their Betway Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium.
The Betway Premiership has no shortage of exciting young talent, and the 2026/27 season could see several emerging stars establish themselves as household names.
