Mamelodi Sundowns struck a pre-season psychological blow when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in a friendly clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Jeremy Brockie netted the opener and Themba Zwane added a late second, before Bernard Parker pulled a goal back for the AmaKhosi.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane handed a start to academy graduate Sphelele Mkhulise in midfield, where he impressed, while Kennedy Mweene was given a rare run in goal.
Chiefs started Khama Billiat against his former employers in a front-three with the South American trio of Leonardo Castro and Gustav Paez.
Uruguayan Gaston Sirino saw an early effort drift wide for Sundowns, while the best chance of the half for Chiefs fell to Billiat, who was denied by an excellent stop from former Zambia international Mweene.
Sundowns led early in the second period after Liberian international Anthony Laffor struck the post with a shot and Brockie was on hand to turn home the rebound - a morale-booster for him perhaps after no goals in competitive football in his last 26 games.
Both teams squandered opportunities as he game wore on, but Sundowns grabbed a second when former Chiefs midfielder George Lebese fed Zwane to blast the ball into the top corner.
Chiefs added some late drama when Parker headed home from a corner, but it proved too little, too late for the AmaKhosi.