Mamelodi Sundowns' unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season came to an end after a 1-0 loss to Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon.
Centre-back Rushine De Reuck made a long-awaited return for Masandawana before Denis Onyango, Lebohang Maboe, and Iqraam Rayners completed the changes.
The pressure was on the reigning champions to keep pace with the fellow chasers Orlando Pirates but Rise and Shine were keen to be no pushovers.
De Reuck nearly marked a perfect return to the fold ahead of the midway point through a surging header from a Marcelo Allende delivery, but he went wide.
Rise and Shine did come in their own a while later with Bafana Bafana international Oswin Appollis being the go-to-man, but Masandawana held matters tight.
Both teams continued to battle each other with the break fast approaching but ultimately forced to go into the interval on even terms.
An uninspired first period forced Masandawana to alter the personnel ahead of the second half with Teboho Mokoena on for Maboe before Sphelele Mkhulise set in for Allende.
Phuti Mohafe's charges continued to fancy their chances and had an inviting chance when Hlayisi Chauke nodded a probing cross from Tlou Nkwe agonizingly off the mark.
Masandawana uncharacteristically conceded more chances later on with the deliveries from Thabang Matuludi proving a problem though Ndamulelo Maphangule failed to pounce.
Rise and Shine broke clear eventually as Bulelani Nikani capitalised on a well-drilled lay-off by Cole Alexander and fired into the bottom-corner.
As fulltime loomed, the Brazilians were unable to provide a response and left Rise and Shine to a famous victory,
Confirmed line-ups:
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Matuludi, Nkwe, Nikani, Dlamini, Maphangule, Kambala, Chauke, Alexander, Appollis
Subs: Okoth, Makhubela, Ndlovu, Baloyi, Seabi, Daniels, Marema, Goovadia, Mapfumo
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, De Reuck, Coetzee, Lebusa, Morena, Tiwani, Maboe, Allende, Matthews, Mabena, Rayners.
Subs: Pieterse, Kekana, Mudau, Mokoena, Mkhulise, Maema, Kodisang, Sales, Shalulile