Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points for the first time in 2026 after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Miguel Cardoso's side took the lead through Tsiki Ntsabeleng in the first half, but they failed to see out the game after Tshegofatso Mabasa levelled maters from the spot four minutes from time to halt their 10-match winning streak in the Betway Premiership.
The Brazilians trail Orlando Pirates by a point in second place, although they do still have a game in hand.
The Maroons remain in the hunt for a top-eight finish as they are just two points behind Golden Arrows (eighth) in ninth position.
A late penalty for Stellies and Mamelodi Sundowns drop points in the title race 😲#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/x23TkNAwsX
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 22, 2026
Bafana Ba Style were looking to reclaim top spot from the Buccaneers, who beat AmaZulu 3-0 on Saturday to go two points clear of their title rivals, while Stellies went in search of back-to-back wins for the second time under Gavin Hunt following a 3-1 success against Sekhukhune United on Friday.
The hosts dominated possession in Pretoria, but it was Hunt's side who had the first sniff at goal on 18 minutes when Devin Titus got free inside the box and saw his shot blocked by the onrushing Ronwen Williams.
Masandawana would hit the front with their first attack seven minutes later as Ntsabeleng played a one-two with Arthur Sales and tucked his shot into the right corner of the net from eight yards out.
Sage Stephens made a routine save from Aubrey Modiba on 36 minutes to ensure there was only one goal between the two teams it at the break.
A flurry of action at the start of the second half saw Sales flash a shot over the crossbar in the 49th minute before Omega Mdaka drilled the ball into the side-netting at the other end three minutes later following a surging run into the box.
Tashreeq Matthews thought he had doubled Sundowns' lead moments later, but he mis-timed his run after latching onto Sales' pass and was flagged offside. Iqraam Rayners then found himself through on goal in the 54th minute, only to be denied by Stephens.
The Tshwane giants kept pushing for a second goal and Sales lined up a shot from range that drifted just wide of the post on 68 minutes before Khuliso Mudau steered a header inches over the bar two minutes later from Matthews's cross.
However, the visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise in the closing stages after Chumani Butsaka was brought down inside the area.
Mabasa, who had only been on the field for nine minutes, saw his penalty saved, although he reacted quickest to score at the second attempt from close range.
The incident that led to the penalty to Stellies 📹⚽#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/Zz82k4GhuT
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 22, 2026
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Ntsabeleng 27')
Stellenbosch (0) 1 (Mabasa 86' PEN)
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: R. Williams, K. Mudau, G. Kekana, K. Ndamane, A. Modiba, M. Allende (J. Adams 88'), T. Mokoena, T. Matthews (T. Morena 88'), A. Sales (M. Saleng 75'), T. Ntsabeleng (T. Zwane 63'), I. Rayners (B. Leon 64').
STELLENBOSCH: S. Stephens, K. Enyinnaya, T. Moloisane, O. Ndah, O. Mdaka, M. Mthiyane (I. Jabaar 63', T. Mabasa 77'), G. Palace, D. Titus (A. Cupido 63'), T. Mokobodi, L. Phili (S. April 83'), C. Butsaka.