Richards Bay seek miracle win over Stellies

As one of the most keenly anticipated fixtures in the DStv Premiership this weekend, Richards Bay FC will look to avoid the PSL Relegation play-offs when they face a stern test in the form of Stellenbosch FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form

As it stands, the Natal Rich Boyz currently occupy 15th place on the log heading into their final league assignment of the season, three points behind 14th placed Royal AM.

Richards Bay will need nothing less than a victory against Stellies to stand a chance of escaping the PSL Relegation play-offs, while at the same time, will hope that Royal AM suffer defeat when they face Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Stellenbosch on the other hand, are looking to finish their campaign in a lofty 2nd place, after accumulating 50 points in 29 games played this season.

The Winelands side hold a slender one-point gap over Orlando Pirates and cannot finish lower than 3rd this season. Essentially, regardless of any result against Richards Bay this weekend, Stellies will either qualify for the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederations Cup by the end of the final DStv Premiership gameweek.

What was said…

“We still have to fight, you will never know what can happen,” Richards Bay coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi said ahead of their final league tie.

“A miracle I think is pending for this league come next week.”

“I don’t think we can get three lifelines in three weeks, so it’s our responsibility to win a football match against Richards Bay on Saturday,” said Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker.

“If we could win, it will turn out to be an incredible season for us. It is still in our own hands.”

Players to watch

Richards Bay: Sanele Barns – Barns has been one of Richards Bay’s best players this season and will no doubt look to inspire his team to safety this weekend. As an added bit of motivation, Barns will be eager to impress against Stellies, given that he had signed a pre-contract with the club in January.

Stellenbosch FC: Iqraam Rayners – With 14 goals in 27 league games so far, Rayners will hope to end the 23/24 DStv Premiership campaign with the Golden Boot Award in hand. As it stands, Rayners is one goal behind Orlando Pirates star Tshegofatso Mabasa on the league’s top scorer’s chart.

Head-to-head

Last three league results:

2022/23 Stellenbosch FC 1-2 Richards Bay

2022/23 Richards Bay 1-2 Stellenbosch FC

2023/24 Stellenbosch FC 2-1 Richards Bay