After winning 18 successive home league matches across two seasons, Sundowns failed to take all three points in the capital for the first time since May 2024 but still remain top of the table, two points ahead of second-placed Sekhukhune United and three above third-placed Pirates, who have two games in hand.
Peter Shalulile scored a fifth goal of the season for Sundowns to give them a 20th-minute lead as the Brazilians dominated the early changes.
Keanu Cupido stole possession in the Pirates’ half to allow Nuno Santos to surge forward, pass to Arthur Sales who, despite a hefty first touch, squared for Shalulile.
The first effort on the right foot from the Namibian record scorer was saved by Sipho Chaine but, using his left, Shalulile swept home the rebound.
Sundowns, who are this season chasing a ninth successive league title, were full value for their lead but the game changed on a single shot from Dansen 10 minutes before the break.
Sundowns cleared Pirates’ corner straight at the 20-year-old, who was making only his second start for the Buccaneers. Dansen thundered home a bullet-like shot on the full volley to put Pirates back in the contest.
It was the Buccaneers who were the better of the two sides in a scrappy second half, dominated by stoppages for niggly fouls and with substitutions on both sides failing to have any effect on the game.
But a solo run from deep in his own half, then playing a one-two with Masindi Nemtajela, allowed Pirates centre-back Lebone Seema to go one-on-one with Ronwen Williams in the second half. The Sundowns captain saved Seema’s effort.
Both sides will be back in league action on Wednesday with Sundowns home to TS Galaxy while Pirates travel to Durban to meet Lamontville Golden Arrows.