Richards Bay will begin their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign against Marumo Gallants at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Richards Bay were handed a first round exit from the MTN8 by Mamelodi Sundowns, who emerged as 4-0 victors on Sunday.
The Natal Rich Boys qualified for the competition by finishing eighth in the Betway Premiership last season after securing two wins and one draw from their last three games.
Now able to focus fully on their upcoming league campaign, the Natal Rich Boys will look to reach the top eight for a second straight season.
Marumo Gallants ended 10th in the Betway Premiership last season, with one win and five draws from their last final five games of the season.
Having pulled the club firmly away from the relegation zone in the second half of last season, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou joined Orlando Pirates. New manager Alexandre Lafitte will look to build on Ouaddou’s success and guide Bahlabane Ba Ntwa into a new era.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Speaking after his side’s MTN8 loss to Sundowns, Richards Bay co-head coach Ronnie Gabriel admitted the fixture was a wake-up call ahead of the start of the season.
“We played a tough Sundowns team, and there’ll be a lot we’ve learnt from this game. I’m sure we’ll become a better team after this as we get ready to start the league next Saturday,” he said.
Marumo Gallants head coach Alexandre Lafitte acknowledged the importance of starting the season on a positive note.
"I think the opening match is very important because we really want to get off to a good start,” the Frenchman said.
"We've got exciting young players in this project, and we intend to play with a lot of intensity to win the first game.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richards Bay - Gabadinho Mhango: Brought to the club as a like-for-like replacement for striker Yanela Mbuthuma, Gabadinho Mhango will look to fill Mbuthuma’s shoes. The Malawian international will hope to impress in his new colours against his former side.
Marumo Gallants - Daniel Msendami: Zimbabwean international Daniel Msendami will look to begin the new campaign with a goal on Saturday. The forward netted three times in the league last season and will be looking to improve on his previous tally.
HEAD-TO-HEAD (All league games since 2022/23)
Richards Bay wins: 2
Marumo Gallants wins: 0
Draws: 2
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS (Top-flight only)
Season Result Scorers
2022/23 Bay 0-0 Gallants
2022/23 Gallants 0-2 Bay Barns, Mabua
2024/25 Gallants 0-0 Bay
2024/25 Bay 2-1 Gallants Figuareido, Bomelo; Sithole
Total
P W D L GF GA
Bay 4 2 2 0 4 1
Gallants 4 0 2 2 1 4