Mamelodi Sundowns rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday evening.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams's suspension saw Denis Onyango come in while Thapelo Morena made way for Khuliso Mudau.
Onyango didn't have a settled start but had to grab the ball out of his net on 12 minutes after Wonderboy Makhubu sneaked in at the near post to head in a cross by John Mokone.
The uncomfortable spell continued where Mudau failed to carry on playing due to an injury and saw Morena come on to take his place in the fold.
Sundowns struggled to get going and work out a response as Iqraam Rayners came wide to the area to tee-up Luccas Ribeiro, who snapped at the effort.
Makhunu could've had a brace ten minutes to halftime with a close-range opening from a stray pass by Malibongwe Khoza, but Onyango rushed out and narrowed.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso responded with a double change at the break, as Arthur Sales replaced Sphelele Mkhulise while Rayners made way for Tashreeq Matthews.
Masandawana got a chance to level minutes from the break with a loose ball right on the edge of the area, but Marcelo Allende curled beyond the top corner.
Sundowns were on level terms inside the midway exchanges when a poor clearance in the box saw Ribeiro take aim and acrobatically volleyed into the bottom-corner.
The comeback was on the cards as the visitors went ahead through a pin-point header by Shalulile, but it unfortunately didn't stand and ruled for offside, lalthough replays suggest otherwise.
However, the Sundowns took the lead soon after as Matthews cut in on the far side of the area and wrong-footed Elvis Chipezeze with a near post finish.
There was more drama in the end, as dismissals for both sides saw Divine Lunga and Samuel Darpoh shown straight red cards for off-the-ball incidents.
Sundowns, though, continued their winning start under coach Cardoso in the league as Dikwena Tsa Meetse's situation at the bottom worsen.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Mudau, Lunga, Kekana, Khoza, Mokoena, Ribeiro, Allende, Mkhulise, Rayners, Shalulile.
Subs: February, Lebusa, Morena, Mashego, Aubaas, Maema, Matthews, Letlhaku, Sales
Magesi: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Mokone, Buthelezi, Mokone, Daepoh, Mekoa, Vandala, Kakora, Rademeyer, Makhubu.