Stellies look to burst in-form Richards Bay's bubble

Stellenbosch FC will go head to head with an improving Richards Bay side in Friday's Betway Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Stellies made it back-to-back wins across all competitions when they secured an impressive 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy in a league match on Tuesday and they are also undefeated in their last two matches.

Stellenbosch are occupying the seventh spot in the Betway Premiership standings - two points behind fifth-placed Galaxy and a win over Richards Bay would see the Windlands side climb into the top five.

We're back home this Friday 🔜 pic.twitter.com/CWqznosW59

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) February 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Richards Bay are enjoying a three-match unbeaten run across all competitions having made it two wins in a row when they defeated Polokwane City 2-0 in a league encounter on 8 February.

The Natal Rich Boys find themselves placed 13th in the Betway Premiership standings - two points above the relegation zone and a victory over Stellenbosch would see the KZN side move further away from the bottom two spots.

TEAM NEWS

Stellenbosch have no suspension issues coming into this match, but Bradley Mojela will once again be absent due to a long-term injury and his teammate Athenkosi Mcaba is an injury doubt.

Richards Bay, on the other hand, could be without Lwandile Mabuya and Somila Ntsundwana who both missed the match against Polokwane City due to injury, while their teammate Yanela Mbuthuma is suspended.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker

“He (Devin Titus) is a winner by nature, his attitude is really first class. Because of that, it’s possible to keep doing what he’s doing," Barker said.

"He’s not one of those players that have reached a certain height and are satisfied with that. It’s really impressive. It was nice for him to get two goals today.”

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel

“People didn’t imagine that we would be able to get two wins on the trot,” Gabriel said.

"When I kept saying we’re playing well week in and week out and the results were not coming, for someone not watching the game, they would’ve thought I’m saying things to take away the focus.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Devin Titus, Stellenbosch FC: The speedy winger will carry Stellies' hopes of defeating the Natal Rich Boys having found the back of the net five times in his last six matches.

Ntlonelo Bomelo, Richards Bay: The 19-year-old striker could be the player to propel the Natal Rich Boys to a win in Stellenbosch having scored twice in back-to-back matches.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2022/23 Stellenbosch 1-2 Bay Titus; Barns, Nyauza

2022/23 Bay 1-2 Stellenbosch Memela; Rayners 2

2023/24 Stellenbosch 2-1 Bay Rayners 2; Komane (pen)

2023/24 Bay 2-1 Stellenbosch Makhubela, Mbuthuma; Rayners

2024/25 Bay 0-0 Stellenbosch

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2022/23)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Stellenbosch 2 1 0 1 3 3

Bay 3 1 1 1 3 3

Away

P W D L GF GA

Stellenbosch 3 1 1 1 3 3

Bay 2 1 0 1 3 3

Total

P W D L GF GA

Stellenbosch 5 2 1 2 6 6

Bay 5 2 1 2 6 6