Willard Katsande opened the scoring in the first half, but the Buccaneers were the better team after the break and found an equaliser from the head of Thamsanqa Gabuza.
The game came to life just past the 20-minute mark when Chiefs nearly opened the scoring – Camaldine Abraw heading wide at the far post after getting on the end of a cross from the right flank by Siphiwe Tshabalala.
On 25 minutes Pirates thought they had opened the scoring when Edwin Gyimah headed home a free-kick, but the referee ruled it out as Thabo Qalinge had sent in his cross before the whistle blew.
Three minutes later Amakhosi broke the deadlock. A Tshabalala corner was knocked down to the far post by Erick Mathoho, allowing Katsande to control the ball before beating goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo.
Chiefs created the better opportunities in the remainder of the first half, but William Twala and Abraw were both unable to find the back of the net.
Pirates threatened an equaliser early in the second half, with Itumeleng Khune called upon to make an excellent finger-tip save to keep out a long-range drive from Thandani Ntshumayelo.
Eric Tinkler made two changes past the hour-mark, sending on Mpho Makola and Sifiso Myeni to try and give his team more creativity and penetration, and there was a sense that something would give eventually.
On 69 minutes the team in black restored parity, with a long throw-in from Ayanda Gcaba glanced just inside the far post by Gabuza to make it 1-1. The goal was a double blow for Chiefs as Khune twisted his ankle at the same time and had to be replaced by Reyaad Pieterse.
Pirates kept on pushing, with Reyaad Pieterse called upon to make a fine diving save from a free-kick, before Gabuza fluffed his lines late on after a perfect set-up by Makola.