Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Tshwane rivals SuperSport United 3-1 to ease into the semifinals of the MTN8 at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.

Mosimane handed first starts to Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento and new signing Sibusiso Vilakazi, with the latter fortuitously netting the second goal.

He scored either side of goals from Wayne Arendse and Khama Billiat, while Kingston Nkhatha netted for Supersport just before halftime.

But Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane had to replace both striker Leonardo Castro and playmaker Keagan Dolly and will sweat on their fitness ahead of the latter stages of the Champions League competition. 

It was clear from the start that SuperSport wanted to unsettle Sundowns with a physical approach and Michael Boxall was fortunate not to get a yellow when he followed through on home keeper Dennis Onyango.

Gould did get a card for a push on Onyango minutes later, soon after the keeper had produced a super save to deny Furman from 30 yards.

But it was Sundowns who opened the score with their first real attack. SuperSport could not clear a corner and after some bobbing about in the penalty area, Wayne Arendse poked the ball into the roof of the net.

Sundowns were dealt a blow minutes later when Castro was stretchered off midway through the first half to be repalced by Percy Tau.

Hlompho Kekana tested the gloves of Ronwen Williams with a thunderous drive straight at the keeper, before SuperSport lost striker Bradley Grobler to a groin problem three minutes before the break. He was replaced by Kingston Nkhatha.

The Zimbabwe striker made an immediate impact as Brockie floated a cross fromt left and Nkhatha looped his header over Onyango.

The second half was more sedate but Sundowns hit the front with 16 minutes to go when Hlompho Kekanafired in a shot from the edge of the box and it struck the head of Vilakazi and deflected past Williams.

It was unlucky for the keeper after he had just seconds earlier denied Vilakazi with a world-class point-blank save.

And the game was made safe on 80 minutes as Billiat provided a cool finish after being teed-up by a strong run from Percy Tau and a pass from Vilakazi. Billiat turned his defender and side-footed home.

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Zwane, Nascimento, Arendse, Langerman, Kekana, Mabunda (Mohomi 70'), Dolly (Soumahoro 90'), Vilakazi, Castro (Tau 25'), Billiat.

SuperSport United: Williams, Bhasera, Daniels, Gould, Boxall, Furman, Letsholonyane, Morton (Alexander 59'), Phala (Mnyamane 84'), Brockie, Grobler (Nkhatha 42').