DStv Premiership Preview: Richards Bay

31 March, 2023

Orlando Pirates return to action this weekend, and make their way to King Zwelithini Stadium where they will clash with Richards Bay on Saturday.

The Soweto Giants will be among the first teams on show in the new month as domestic football makes its way back after an eventful international break.

Form Guide 

They head into the fixture looking to pick up where they left off in March after winning all three of their fixtures across competitions during the month.

The Buccaneers collected a vital three points at home to SuperSport United in their most recent fixture, and another three on Saturday could take them from third to second place in the standings with only a handful of fixtures remaining until the end of the season.

They come up against a side that will have welcomed the opportunity to reset during the FIFA break, having fallen on the opposite end of good fortune in recent weeks.

Richards Bay have endured a tough time out on the field of late, and are currently on a six-match losing streak with no wins recorded across their last eight games.

This has resulted in a free slide on the league table, where they have gone from second place to sixth, and could find themselves in the bottom half of the table should they once again fail to collect points on Saturday.

Team News

The Buccaneers have welcomed five members of their playing personnel back from international duty, with Deon Hotto back from representing Namibia along with four players who turned up for South Africa.

José Riveiro’s squad has been further boosted by the likes of Bandile Shandu and Goodman Mosele nearing a return to action after weeks on the sidelines.

For the hosts, it will be another outing without the services of influential goalkeeper Salim Magoola, who sits out the second match in his two-game suspension after being red-carded during his side’s home defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

Key Players

Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates): The midfielder has slotted back in the team seamlessly since returning to fitness, and will command plenty of attention from the defence. Lorch’s influence has been crucial to the Bucs’ cause over the past few months and his ability to create and finish off chances makes him a constant threat to the opposition.

Somila Ntsundwana (Richards Bay): Ntsundwana has been a vital member of Richards Bay’s squad, featuring in all but two of their league games this season. The versatile attacker has been utilised up front as an out-and-out striker as well on the left wing, contributing with some important goals for his side.

Head-to-Head

This will only be the second meeting between the two sides, with the Buccaneers entering the fixture as the away team for the first time.

In their earlier encounter played at Orlando Stadium, neither team could find the net, with the game finishing in a goalless draw.

How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Richards Bay

Kick-off is at 15:30 and the game will be televised live on SuperSport PSL. Live updates will also be provided across all Orlando Pirates social media platforms as well as the Club’s official app.