DStv Premiership surprise package Richards Bay will be targeting a return to winning ways when they go up against struggling Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Natal Rich Boyz have been Mamelodi Sundowns' closest challengers for much of the first half of the season following their promotion as National First Division champions.
They saw an impressive nine-match unbeaten run come to an end last Friday with a 2-0 loss to Sundowns, which left Pitso Dladla and Vasili Manousakis' side 14 points adrift of the league leaders in third position.
Manousakis expressed pride in his players for their efforts against the Brazilians and says it's important to get a quick response in Phokeng this weekend.
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"I am so proud of these Richards Bay boys, they are unbelievable," he declared. "To do what we ask of them - listen, if we had [conceded] five today playing the way we did in the second half I would still be proud of them.
"That's the way we want to try and play football and we've lost to the best team in the league. It's no surprise they are running away with it and third loss out of 15 games, it's not the worst in the world. It's how do we bounce back now?"
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa halted a three-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch on Wednesday, which lifted them off the foot of the table.
However, Dan Malesela has gone four games without a win after claiming back-to-back victories on his return to the helm in October following a short stint at Royal AM.
Malesela acknowledged Gallants were the architects of their own demise against the Maroons after yet another mistake led to Junior Mendieta's opener on 50 minutes, with their fightback deemed "unnecessary" by the head coach.
"What were we fighting for just before we gave the ball away and gifted a chance [for Stellenbosch] to go and score?" Malesela said.
"We did the same thing last week, we did the same thing against Sekhukhune, we did the same thing when there's no pressure and these are people that you trust. But I don't want to hammer my players, we are all human, we make mistakes.
"So long as we've got the guts to come back to fight but we don't have to fight all the time because life can be a bit easier. When we are in control let's take command."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marumo Gallants
Washington Arubi: The 37-year-old Zimbabwean goalkeeper remains an important member of the team despite his advancing years and pulled off a couple of crucial saves to keep Gallants in the contest against Stellenbosch. Arubi has featured in 13 of the 16 league games this season and has kept four clean sheets in the process.
Ranga Chivaviro: The 30-year-old striker made an impact off the bench against Stellies, heading home the equaliser in the final minute to register his third goal of the season. Chivaviro will be hoping his cameo will have convinced Malesela to start him against Richards Bay after six substitute's appearances.
Richards Bay
Sanele Barns: The 25-year-old winger was one of the standout players in the second half against Sundowns, creating chances for Tshepo Mabua and Sibusiso Mthethwa with his surging runs and penetrating passes. Barns has contributed one goal and two assists in 15 appearances and will likely be a handful for Gallants this weekend.
Tshepo Mabua: The 28-year-old left-back has been a regular starter for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa this term, missing just one game. Mabua's willingness to join the attack from the left flank presented him with two chances against Downs, forcing Ronwen Williams into a save before shooting wide from range later on in the second half.