The match ended 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pirates had to claw their way back into the match after Peter Shalulile gave the hosts an early lead in the first half. But the visitors responded 10 minutes before the break through a spectacular volley by the 20-year-old Dansin, making only his second start for the senior side.

The match started brightly, with the Buccaneers threatening early. Oswin Appollis narrowly failed to connect with a Deon Hotto cross inside the box, though the assistant referee raised his flag for offside, while Evidence Makgopa's left-footed effort flew just over Ronwen Williams' crossbar.

Sundowns eventually broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after Tshepang Moremi lost possession just outside his own box. Sipho Chaine initially denied Shalulile, but the Namibian forward pounced on the rebound to slot home.

That goal lifted the confidence of the home side, with Tashreeq Morris and Nuno Santos combining well to create a few dangerous moments, though they couldn't find a second.

Pirates drew level in the 35th minute through a moment of brilliance from Dansin. The young midfielder unleashed an unstoppable strike from outside the box that left Bafana Bafana captain Williams rooted to the spot.

Hotto came close to giving the Buccaneers the lead just before half-time but fired his volley over the bar from close range.

The second half continued at a high tempo, with both sides pushing for a winner. Lebone Seema produced a brilliant solo run early in the half but shot straight at Williams from a tight angle instead of passing to the unmarked Moremi.

As the clock ticked down, both teams shared periods of dominance and created half-chances, but neither could find the decisive goal. In the end, the spoils were shared after a pulsating 90 minutes in Tshwane.

Humble Junior Mendieta ready to give his all for Mamelodi Sundowns