Richards Bay are a KwaZulu-Natal side that rose from the second tier in 2022, beat Kaizer Chiefs in a famous cup tie and have since fought to stay up. This profile combines API-Football data with history checked against the club’s own website, Wikipedia and match reports. Where those sources disagree, we say so.
The league data below is dated 26 September 2026. For the full standings, see our PSL table page, and for the schedule use the PSL fixtures page.
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Who are Richards Bay?
Richards Bay are a KwaZulu-Natal club known as the Natal Rich Boyz, owned by Sifiso “Jomo” Biyela and playing in the Betway Premiership since 2022. The nickname appears on the club’s history page and in Zululand Observer coverage. Also, Biyela is described as owner by Wikipedia, the club and IOL, and he said in 2022 that the club was not for sale.
What is the history of Richards Bay?
The modern Richards Bay FC dates from 2017, when Biyela took over Thanda Royal Zulu and rebranded the club. Wikipedia and the club’s history page agree on 2017. In addition, Wikipedia adds that the predecessor won the 2016/17 National First Division. The club’s own history goes further back. It traces the franchise to Hellenic FC of Cape Town in 1958, then Benoni Premier United, then a 2007 Swedish-backed move to KwaZulu-Natal as Thanda Royal Zulu. We could not confirm that longer lineage elsewhere, so treat it as the club’s own account.
The club won the 2021/22 National First Division and earned promotion, according to Wikipedia and the club. However, one result had made the club famous a year earlier. On 7 February 2021, while still a lower-division side, Richards Bay beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup last 32, according to ESPN’s match page, Wikipedia and the Nedbank Cup site.
Top-flight life has been a struggle. Moreover, According to API-Football, they finished 13th in 2022/23 and 15th in 2023/24, and Sunday Tribune coverage lists Richards Bay among earlier play-off survivors. Then came a best finish of eighth in 2024/25, followed by 11th on 34 points in 2025/26.
What has Richards Bay won?
Richards Bay have won the 2021/22 National First Division and no major top-flight trophy. The promotion and the 2021 cup upset over Chiefs are the highlights. As a result, staying in the league has been the real prize each season.
Where do Richards Bay play their home games?
Richards Bay’s home ground is uMhlathuze Stadium in Richards Bay, but in 2026/27 most home games are scheduled in Durban. Wikipedia gives the Richards Bay Stadium a capacity of 10,500. Additionally, the 2026/27 fixture data lists King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban for 11 of the 15 home matches, with a few at the Umhlathuze Sports Stadium and one at Princess Magogo Stadium. The PSL’s fixture list shows Princess Magogo for some games as well.
The reason is the pitch. IDiski Times reported that the PSL ordered a four-week suspension of uMhlathuze because of poor pitch conditions, and that repairs at Moses Mabhida Stadium ran late, so the home game with Chiefs on 26 August 2026 moved to Princess Magogo in KwaMashu. Because venues keep changing, confirm the ground before you travel.
How are Richards Bay doing in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership?
Richards Bay are fourteenth in the table as of 4 November 2026, with 3 points from 9 matches. That leaves them 20 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played 9. Overall, that keeps them in the bottom four.
Their record reads 0 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats, with 10 goals scored and 20 conceded (goal difference -10). In other words, they are collecting 0.38 points per game. For comparison, that pace is below their 2025/26 average of 1.13.
Every club plays 30 league matches, 15 at home and 15 away. With 8 played, Richards Bay have completed 27% of their season, so there is still a long way to go. However, the early table already shows who has started fast.
The split by venue tells a similar story. At home they have won 0, drawn 1 and lost 4. Away from home, however, they have won 0, drawn 2 and lost 1.
What were the last five league results?
Here are the most recent league matches, oldest first:
- lost 1-2 at home to Amazulu on 4 September 2026
- lost 1-5 away to Milford FC on 13 September 2026
- lost 2-3 at home to Sekhukhune United on 19 September 2026
- lost 1-4 at home to Mamelodi Sundowns on 13 October 2026
- lost 1-3 away to Kruger United on 31 October 2026
Overall, 3 defeats from the last five is a worry and needs fixing quickly.
How did Richards Bay do last season?
In 2025/26, Richards Bay finished eleventh in the 16-club table with 3 points from 9 matches. They won 7, drew 13 and lost 10, scoring 23 and conceding 30.
That was a mid-table finish, so the aim is to move up the standings. Consequently, the current campaign starts from a clear reference point.
All 2025/26 figures come from API-Football data.
What are Richards Bay’s next fixtures?
The next three scheduled league matches, with kick-off times in SAST, are:
- 29 November 2026: away to Marumo Gallants (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
- 6 December 2026: away to TS Galaxy (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
- 16 December 2026: home to Orlando Pirates (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
That is a gap of 18 days after the last league match. Meanwhile, dates and times can move for broadcast or other reasons, so always check the PSL fixtures page and live scores for the latest schedule.
Who are Richards Bay’s biggest rivals?
Richards Bay’s closest rivals are the other KwaZulu-Natal clubs, and Milford FC are the newest local opponent. Milford beat them 5-1 on 13 September 2026, according to the results above. The province now has five top-flight clubs, according to the Sunday Tribune, so most away trips are short. To explore the neighbours, read the profiles of AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Durban City and Milford FC. Likewise, the PSL teams page links to all 16 clubs.
Who coaches Richards Bay and who are the notable names?
Dimitar Pantev, a 50-year-old Bulgarian, became head coach on 21 September 2026 on a one-season deal. FARPost and Africasoccer both reported the appointment. He replaces Ronnie Gabriel, who left after a winless start. FARPost says Gabriel resigned, while Africasoccer says the club parted company with him. Also, Pantev has coached Simba SC of Tanzania, Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United, according to the club statement quoted by FARPost. In addition, his first match is against Mamelodi Sundowns on 13 October 2026, after the international break. We list no players, because the squad data in our sources is patchy.
Where are Richards Bay heading?
Richards Bay are heading into a survival fight under a new coach. As of 26 September 2026 they are 16th with 3 points from 9 matches, and they have not yet won a league game. They have conceded 16 goals, the most in the league, so defence is the priority. Still, the international break gives Pantev time to work. You can follow results on our PSL results page and in the Betway Premiership round 7 round-up. For the club’s own version of its past, see the Richards Bay FC history page.
How can you follow Richards Bay this season?
Start with the PSL table for the standings and the live scores page on match days. Additionally, the Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page and the South Africa national soccer team players page cover the national side, which is handy when league games pause. Finally, official fixtures and club information are on psl.co.za.
Frequently asked questions about Richards Bay
When was Richards Bay founded?
The modern Richards Bay FC dates from 2017, when Sifiso Biyela took over Thanda Royal Zulu and rebranded it. The club’s own history traces the franchise back to 1958.
What is Richards Bay’s nickname?
Richards Bay are known as the Natal Rich Boyz.
Where do Richards Bay play home games?
Their home ground is uMhlathuze Stadium in Richards Bay, but the 2026/27 fixtures list mostly Durban venues, chiefly King Zwelithini Stadium, after pitch problems at uMhlathuze.
What has Richards Bay won?
Richards Bay won the 2021/22 National First Division and beat Kaizer Chiefs in the 2021 Nedbank Cup. They have won no major top-flight trophy.
Where are Richards Bay in the PSL table?
As of 26 September 2026, Richards Bay are 16th with 3 points from 9 matches.
