Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns’ title race faces another night. The Sea Robbers have to respond after Kabo Yellow beat Orbit College 2-0 to go top with 47 points and a three-point lead.
Coach Ronnie Gabriel’s Richards Bay, sitting in ninth spot, aim to make it two Soweto scalps after last week’s 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in KwaZulu-Natal.
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BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: ORLANDO PIRATES VS RICHARDS BAY STARTING LINE UPS
Orlando Pirates line up: Chaine, Sebelebele, Seema, Sibisi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Appollis, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Mbuthuma.
Substitutes: Buthelezi, Dansin, Chabatsane, van Rooyen, Makgopa, Nemtajela, De Jong, Moremi, Ndaba.
Richards Bay line up: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Mcineka, Mabuya, Mntungwa, Mthethwa, Barns, Mthembu, Zikhali, Mahala, Gumede.
Substitutes: Mtshali, Mutizwa, Ngema, Mzobe, Ndelu, Khuamlo, Nzama, Tuli.
The two sides meet up for the second time this season since the Carling Knockout semifinals battle at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 8 November 2025. Tsepang Moremi scored the winner in the 1-0 triumph.
THREE MEETINGS LAST SEASON
Orlando Pirates have more reason to feel confident after three wins over Richards Bay last term. The Buccaneers secured a 3–1 victory in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32. Patrick Maswanganyi struck twice in the first half to put Pirates firmly in control. Richards Bay responded early in the second half through Yanela Mbuthuma, but Tshegofatso Mabasa settled the contest with a stoppage-time goal to send Bucs into the next round.
In the Betway Premiership meeting on 5 November 2024 at Orlando Stadium, Orlando Pirates edged a tight encounter 1–0. Evidence Makgopa scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute, while Thabiso Monyane impressed with a dominant display on the right flank that earned him the Man of the Match award.
Earlier in September, Bucs also claimed a narrow 1–0 away victory in the league. The breakthrough came late when substitute Kabelo Dlamini curled in a superb free-kick in the 82nd minute, before goalkeeper Sipho Chaine produced a crucial late save to secure the clean sheet and all three points.
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