Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their wining start to the Betway Premiership season with a 2-1 victory over Royal AM on Wednesday night.
There were five changes from Masandawana following the dominant display over Golden Arrows on Saturday, with Khuliso Mudau, Divine Lunga, Teboho Mokoena, Sphelele Mkhulise and Thembinkosi Lorch all recalled.
The reigning champions needed only six minutes to get going when Mkhulise won the ball high up the pitch and moved into space to fire into the bottom-corner.
Mkhulise didn't lose momentum after the goal and remained energised particularly on the ball and played in Lunga to take aim from a difficult angle, but the full-back snapped his shot wide of the mark.
Royal AM weren't keen to have the host have it all their own and threatened a response before the break, but Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams parried and preserved their lead.
Masandawana didn't lose the momentum and entered the break with the lead intact while Thwihli Thwahla were right on the back-foot.
Thwihli Thwahla showed a level of improvement after halftime and carved out a few chances, but Motebang Sera was unable to pounce and beat Williams.
Sundowns, though, looked on course to add another a while later through a corner-kick towards the back-post of the area, but Mothobi Mvala saw his effort blocked.
Williams remained level-headed in goal and commanded his box with ease to thus thwart every potent threat launched by Thwihli Thwahla.
Brazilian-born Lucas Ribeiro went close to doubling their lead towards the last ten minutes with goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo rounded, but the defence tracked and cleared their lines.
Sundowns made the points safe five minutes before time when Mudau pounced on a loose ball in the area and finished expertly.
There were late drama though in the dying minutes as the visitors got a consolation through a stern finish from Sbangani Zulu, but it didn't matter as Masandawana emerged with the win.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Mokoena, Kekana, Mudau, Lunga, Mkhulise, Modiba, Ribeiro, Lorch, Shalulile
Subs: Onyango, De Reuck, Mdunyelwa, Aubaas, Maema, Kodisang, Letlhaku, Mabena, Maseko
Royal AM: Ngcobo, Jiyane, Zulu, Mkhize, Matlaba, Magaqa, Gumede, Mahlasela, Maxwele, Ndlovu, Sera
Subs: Mpoto, Majola, Sithebe, Dlamini, Mpisane, Thikazi, Cele, Macuphu