Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final first leg on Wednesday evening.
The absence of Denis Onyango and Ronwen Williams allowed Jody February a rare start for the Masandawana, who also recalled Aubrey Modiba from the quarter-final win over Polokwane City.
Masandawana endured a worrying opening when Devon Titus burst through on the right after beating the offside trap to deliver a cutback, but February narrowed the angle.
Titus launched further danger ten minutes on the clock courtesy of an overhead kick from a tight angle following a loose ball off a corner, but February thwarted him once again.
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Sundowns, who were beaten finalists in last year's edition, steadily managed to come alive later but the Maroons still posed problems through the pace of Titus and balls in-behind.
However, the host should've gone ahead late in the half through a first-time shot from a tight angle by Peter Shalulile but Sage Stephens palmed for a corner-kick.
From the corner, the Brazilians threatened again when a header at the near post from Grant Kekana cracked off the crossbar and back into play.
Masandawana pushed tirelessly for the breakthrough minutes after halftime through consecutive corners involving Modiba and Ribeiro, but continued to draw blanks.
The Maroons were given a penalty 12 minutes in the second half when Titus succumbed to Kekana's challenge and Fawaaz Basadien stepped up to send February in the opposite direction.
Substitutions by the host in a quest to change the context of the clash saw Themba Zwane, Arthur Sales and Kutlwano Letlhaku come on.
Sales missed a glorious chance to open his account for the club near the last ten minutes with a point-blank effort following a square pass, but a tremendous block from Stephens denied him.
The host piled more pressure in added time as Teboho Mokoena's scorching strike from 30-yards out hit the top of the crossbar.
In the end, the visiting team survived all that came their way and secured a narrow first-leg victory with the second-leg on Sunday.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: February, Lebusa, Mokoena, Kekana, Mashego, Mudau, Modiba, Allende, Ribeiro, Matthews, Shalulile
Subs: Pieterse, Aubaas, Morena, Tiwani, Mkhulise, Maboe, Zwanee, Letlahku, Sales
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Jurgens, Basadien, Mcaba, Jabaar, Nduli, Titus, Adams, De Jong, Mojela
Subs: Langveldt, De Kock, Mdaka, Palace, Toure, Onyango, Phili, Mini, Barns