Chasing a ninth successive league title, Sundowns have some daylight between themselves and second-placed Orlando Pirates, though the latter have a game in hand and host Richards Bay on Wednesday.
Here are the talking points from Sundowns’ clash in Rustenburg.
Much-changed Sundowns
It was no surprise to see Sundowns rest several players against Orbit College with a CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Stade Malien on Friday.
Of course, their squad has so much depth that quality is replaced by quality, but all of Keanu Cupido, Keagan Johannes and Fawaaz Basadien got a run in defence.
Marcelo Allende, Miguel Reisinho, Arthur Sales and Nuno Santos all started in a South American/Portuguese midfield.
Monnapule Saleng also started against the side where he was on loan from Orlando Pirates in the first half of this season.
Dominant first half
Sundowns had no less than 78% of the possession in the first half and created three big chances, but only managed two shots on target.
Iqraam Rayners did have the ball in the back of the net but was offside, and they did not do enough with the amount of possession they had.
Sure, Orbit College sat back with a low block and defended their goal in numbers, but that final ball was lacking from The Brazilians, despite the obvious quality they had on the pitch.
Off the mark
It did not take Sundowns long to score in the second half though and it was a first Betway Premiership goal for Reisinho.
It was a great team goal too as Rayners fed Sales, whose deep cross to the back post was headed into the path of Reisinho by Santos. A goal made in Portugal.
Reisinho is not what you would call prolific, but he did manage five goals in the Portuguese topflight for Boavista last season, so it was perhaps about time he got off the mark in South Africa.
2-0 from the spot
Sundowns were awarded a clear penalty when Khuliso Mudau tried to latch onto the ball in the box, but Orbit College defender No. 41 misjudged his action and kicked the right-back in the midriff.
Referee Abongile Tom had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick and it was the correct call.
Rayners stepped up and buried the penalty for his fourth goal in three games, taking him to 10 in the league and level with Lamontville Golden Arrows’ Sede Dion in the Golden Boot race.
In all he has scored 13 goals in 17 starts (and 23 appearances overall), having missed a chunk of the season with injury. In total he has 39 goals for the club in 57 starts.
He surely must be on the flight to Mexico for the World Cup.
Where does this leave us?
Sundowns have 47 points from 20 games and a +24 goal difference. Pirates have 44 points from 19 games and a +23 goal difference.
If Pirates win 1-0 on Wednesday it would not be enough to take them back to the top as they would be level on points and goal difference with Sundowns, but the latter have scored 34 goals. Ahead of their clash with Richards Bay, Pirates have 31.
Orbit College remain second bottom in the relegation play-off place. They are five points above automatic relegation and level with 14th-placed Marumo Gallants, but their -19 goal difference is inferior.
No team has lost more games this season than the North West province team. This is their 13th defeat, with the next highest in the division being 10.