They are two seismic results in the title race and Chiefs, in particular, will need to dust themselves off ahead of a Soweto Derby clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.
It is Chiefs’ first league loss since September and, after recent exits from the CAF Confederation Cup and Nedbank Cup, it has been a tough few weeks for Amakhosi.
Here are the talking points from the night’s action.
Where do we stand?
Sundowns move to the top of the league table on goals scored. They and Pirates both have 38 points from 17 games and a +19 goal difference.
But Sundowns have scored 27 goals to Pirates’ 26 and so leapfrog them in the standings. It could not be tighter in the title race, just one goal separates the sides after 17 matches.
Chiefs remain fourth with 30 points and now have just a single game in hand. They must beat Pirates on Saturday to keep their title hopes alive, otherwise it may become a battle for CAF interclub qualification places.
AmaZulu also have 30 points in fifth but have played two games more than Chiefs.
Stellenbosch’s win lifts them to 11th with 19 points, now five clear of the relegation play-off position and seven above the automatic drop zone.
Chiefs take the lead
Chiefs missed several chances before going ahead, with former Stellenbosch forward Ashley du Preez the chief culprit. To be fair, he did have the ball in the net from what looked an onside position but was flagged offside.
It was a debatable call, although he had been offside earlier in the move, he appeared level when the final pass was played.
Chiefs eventually got the lead their play deserved. Glody Lilepo collected the ball on the right and his low cross was turned in at the near post by Flavio Silva.
It was a fifth goal in as many league starts for the Angolan (10 appearances overall) and his seventh in all competitions.
Stellenbosch hit back
The visitors did not register a single shot on target in the first half and offered little going forward, but they equalised six minutes into the second period.
And it came from a player in fine form. Winger Langelihle Phili, 21, continued his impressive campaign with his seventh league goal (ninth in all competitions), scored in just 11 starts.
He was on hand at the back post to turn home Devin Titus’ excellent low cross from the right, which evaded everyone in the box.
Late winner
Stellenbosch stunned their hosts with a winner three minutes from time, and it was the same man who knocked Chiefs out of the Nedbank Cup earlier this month.
Devin Titus side-footed home with a beautiful finish from 15 yards, curling the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
It was his first league goal of the campaign, remarkable considering he scored eight last season, but when needed most, the pint-sized winger often delivers.
Sundowns snatch it late
It took Sundowns until the 84th minute to break the deadlock at AmaZulu, but it proved decisive.
Usuthu failed to clear their lines and as the ball bobbled on the edge of the box, Marcelo Allende struck it on the half-volley and crashed it into the net.
It was an expert finish from one of the most technically gifted players in the Betway Premiership, though he perhaps does not score as often as his talent suggests. It was his first league goal since netting against Durban City in September.
Sundowns had 29 shots to AmaZulu’s six, a clear reflection of the balance of play, and it looked as though it would be a frustrating evening until Allende’s moment of quality settled the contest.