Themba Zwane has taken one step forward in working his way towards making a return from injury.
The veteran midfielder ruptured his Achilles tendon mid-October last year while on Bafana Bafana duty and was given an estimation of four to six months out.
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Three months later and having missed 19 matches for the champions, Zwane is back on the field.
"Regarding Themba, I think it is still a situation that will take time despite the fact that he has entered the pitch and started to run and touch the ball," says Miguel Cardoso, the Sundowns coach.
"It is still a process that will take time.
"For sure, some months.
"So, we don't have big expectations for him to return to the team but give him the time to make the steps and follow all protocols that need to be followed so that he can come back in the best way," says Cardoso.
'Mshishi', as he is nicknamed, is into the last six months of his contract at the club but has an optional year, which could be triggered ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup to run from June 14-July 13.
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The Club World Cup will be a befitting stage for Zwane to play after he didn't get any minutes at the 2016 edition.
The 35-year-old has won trophies for the past 10 years at Sundowns.