Richards Bay’s 2025 Final-Day Heroics Fuel Their 2026 Ambitions
Richards Bay co-coach Ronnie Gabriel insists the Natal Rich Boyz are peaking at the perfect moment for a late top-eight surge.
Currently 10th with 31 points, the Rich Boyz trail eighth-placed Golden Arrows by five points with four games remaining.
Bay’s recent record (two wins, two draws) is actually better than Arrows’ current form, adding weight to Gabriel’s “who will bet against us” claim.
The KwaZulu-Natal side’s four matches before the season ends are against Polokwane City on 6 May at home, Marumo Gallants away on 9 May, and Sekhukhune United at home on 16 May.
They will conclude the campaign against Magesi away on 23 May.
At home, they have been particularly impressive, suffering just one defeat all season. Even the top three have failed to secure maximum points there—Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw, Kaizer Chiefs were beaten 1-0, and Orlando Pirates had to come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Gabriel labeled the final four fixtures as ‘winnable’ opportunities to break into the top half.
“The top eight has been one of our targets since the beginning of the season,” said Gabriel.
“I’m sure the log shows that, mathematically, we can still get into the top eight. And who would bet against us given our current form?
“In the last four games, I think we have picked up eight points, which is a good return in the PSL. Looking at our fixtures, without undermining our opponents, I feel we have a good chance of taking points from those games.
“We will continue to push towards our targets; we will keep working hard and grinding until the end of the season.
“I’m sure you remember last season—it took us until the final game to get into the top eight.
“A commendable 2-0 win away [against SuperSport United] saw us jump into the top eight. So, we have that kind of experience heading into the tail end of the season.”
