Mamelodi Sundowns' 10-game winning streak in the Betway Premiership came to an end after losing 1-0 to TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.
Masandawana recalled Kegan Johannes and Tashreeq Matthews after the big win over Orlando Pirates over the weekend.
Th league leaders were not able to get off to a fluid start, as the Rockets battled fiercely for every ball, space and looked to play out on the break.
Talisman Lucas Ribeiro went agonisingly close to making the breakthrough with a snap shot from the area after being teed up by Matthews, but he was denied by the post.
Galaxy issued a swift reply a few moments thereafter when the returning Sphiwe Mahlangu worked Ronwen Williams to a solid finger-tip save off a free-kick.
Masandawana were stunned a minute to halftime as Kamogelo Sebelebele came in the near side following Dzenan Zajmovic's pass and toe-poked beyond Williams.
The visitors made a double change at the start of the second half, with Rayners brought on for Matthews while Johannes made way for Thapelo Morena.
Sundowns continued to have it tough and saw Rockets goalkeeper Ira Tape was on hand to stop Teboho Mokoena's scorching free-kick from finding the top corner.
Aubrey Modiba nearly pulled the contest level with a free-kick from the edge of the box, but Tape stood his ground and repelled the Bafana Bafana international.
Tape again denied the Brazilians where he stepped a yard of his area to punch Mokoena's flat-footed free-kick back into play, before Modiba hoofed the rebound.
Sundowns couldn't get a route in and suffered their first league defeat under coach Miguel Cardoso, as the win moved the Rockets into the top-four.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Ira, Munyai, Kabini, Ndamane, Sibande, Mvelase, Mgaga, Sebelebele, Letsoalo, S. Mahlangu, Zajmovic.
Subs: Ciupa, Maduna, Seema, Mbunjana, Dithejane, Dolly, Sovsic, Letsonyo, Sibanyoni
Mamelodi Sundowns: Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Johannes, Kekana, Suarez, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Ribeiro, Adams, Matthews, Shalulile
Subs: Onyango, Morena, Khoza, Tiwani, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Kodisang, Maseko, Rayners