The match was mostly a scrappy affair with both sides failing to play to their potential and in the end it was the Birds who took advantage of Downs' slack defending.

Swallows went ahead on 25 minutes when Edzai Kasinauyo raced through the centre to latch onto Abram Isaacs' pass and the striker coolly slotted home.

They extended their lead six minutes before the break when Kerryn Jordan headed home Samuel Ngobeni's cross.

The second period was a dull affair as Sundowns lacked the creativity and spark they needed to get back in the match.