Themba Zwane opened the scoring in the sixth minute after turning into an empty net after Richard Ofori could only parry Percy Tau's header into the striker's path.
The flow of the match was not really established towards the first quarter of the first stanza as both sides were losing possession easily.
The Team of Choice only got into gear after 20 minutes and looked threatening going forward but the Brazilians’ defence was standing firm.
However, Andrea Fileccia leveled matters for United in the 33rd minute after capitalising on a huge blunder by Masandawana goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who fluffed his clearance to allow the striker to put into an unguarded goal, 1-1.
The Tshwane giants were probing with five minutes to go before the break but were not testing the Maritzburg goalkeeper.
As a result, the first stanza ended 1-1 in an exciting encounter thus far.
The Brazilians threatened to regain the lead 10 minutes into the second stanza by taking the game to United.
Thapelo Morena was particularly instrumental on the right wing for the visitors towards the hour mark and gave Maritzburg plenty problems.
Tebogo Langerman fired the Brazilians ahead 17 minutes before time with a clinical finish inside the box after he was set up by Khama Billiat from a short-corner, 2-1.
However, Lebohang Maboe snatched the equaliser for United three minutes before time after slotting past Onyango form inside the area.
There was still time for a late winner with end to end attacks but neither team could find the net as they shared the spoils.