Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a winning start in the Betway Premiership after defeating SuperSport United 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Masandawana restored Peter Shalulile after the CAF Champions League action, although Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena were left out of the matchday squad, while United gave league debuts to Nokutenda Mangezi, Pogiso Sanoka, Nyiko Mobbie, and Vincent Pule.
Shalulile looked to hit the ground running on ten minutes through a snap shot following a well-drilled move, but the Namibian ace went narrowly wide of the mark.
Matsatsantsa enjoyed a chance of their own three minutes apart when Neo Rapoo launched a teasing shot from a clever angle, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a save.
The chances continued to go either way with SuperSport shot-stopper Ricardo Goss called to parry Lucas Ribeiro from close-range and shortly denied Iqraam Rayners in a succession of openings.
Both teams still pushed for the opener ahead of the interval, but the away side were frustrated before Williams got down and made a timeous block.
A trio of substitutions by Masandawana well in the second half saw Aubrey Modiba, Tashreeq Matthews and Themba Zwane come in for Shalulile, Lebohang Maboe and Marcelo Allende.
The introductions heralded the perfect timing as the reigning champions hit the front in the 62nd minute where Rayners finished from inside the penalty area after Ribeiro's neat flick.
Sundowns extended the lead five minutes later when Ribeiro went clear towards the penalty area and dinked over an advancing Goss.
Ribeiro pushed for a second goal in no less than a few minutes and had a point-blank effort following a surging strike cleared from the goal-line.
SuperSport battled to get into any sort of rhythm in the latter exchanges, with Masandawana in complete control and ended up victorious.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, Coetzee, Kekana, Morena, Tiwani, Maboe, Allende, Ribeiro, Rayners, Shalulile
Subs: Onyango, Khoza, Aubaas, Modiba, Mkhulise, Zwane, Mabena, Matthews, Lorch
SuperSport United: Goss, Sanoka, Rapoo, Hlatshwayo, Okon, Mobbie, Mangezi, Ndlovu, Ayer, Pule, Dzvukamanja
Subs: Mbanjwa, Baloyi, Baliti, Moralo, Mbangossoum, Lakay, Poggenpoel, Mahlangu, Magidigidi