Richards Bay F.C.

Richards Bay F.C.

Nickname(s)	The Natal Rich Boys [1]
Founded	2017;8 years ago (2017)
Ground	Richards Bay Stadium, KwaZulu-Natal
Capacity	8,000
Coordinates	28.743392°S 32.055874°E
Chairman	Jomo Biyela
Coach	Brandon Truter
League	South African Premiership
2024-25	8th
colours
[[2024-25|Current season]]

Richards Bay Football Club is a South African football club based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The club was formed when Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. sold their club to Brian Sifiso Biyela, who renamed it Richards Bay F.C. ^[2] Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. had earned promotion to the Premiership by winning the 2016–17 National First Division, but owner Pierre Delvaux sold the club's Premiership league status to fifth-placed AmaZulu F.C. ^{[3] [4]}

On 7 February 2021, while still in the National First Division, the club achieved their biggest win at the time when they defeated Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs F.C. 2-1, in a Nedbank Cup last 32 match. ^[5]

Current squad

As of 15 August 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   KEN Ian Otieno 6 MF   RSA Tlakusani Mthethwa 7 FW   MWI Gabadinho Mhango 8 DF   RSA Thabani Zuke 9 FW   RSA Ntlonelo Bomelo 14 FW   RSA Lundi Mahala 16 GK   UGA Jamal Salim 17 MF   RSA Thulani Gumede 18 DF   RSA Siyabonga Dube 19 MF   RSA Siyabonga Nzama 20 MF   RSA Moses Mthembu 21 MF   RSA Langelihle Mhlongo 22 MF   RSA Lwandile Mabuya 23 FW   SWZ Justice Figuareido 25 DF   RSA Simphiwe Mcineka 26 DF   RSA Halalisani Vilakazi

No. Pos. Nation Player 27 MF   RSA Ntlonelo Bomelo 33 FW   RSA Wandile Ngema 34 FW   RSA Mfundo Thikazi 35 MF   RSA Thabisa Ndelu 36 MF   RSA Lindokuhle Zikhali 37 DF   RSA Sbangani Zulu 45 FW   RSA Somila Ntsundwana 47 DF   RSA Sbani Khumalo 48 GK   RSA Philasande Manqele 72 DF   RSA Tshepo Mabua 75 MF   RSA Mbulelo Nombengula 77 FW   RSA Siboniso Conco 88 MF   RSA Ntsako Makhubela 99 DF   RSA Thabani Dube — DF   BOT Kitso Mangolo — MF   RSA Lindokuhle Mtshali

League record

National First Division

• 2017–18 – 12th
• 2018–19 – 7th
• 2019–20 – 12th
• 2020–21 – 3rd
• 2021–22 – 1st (promoted)

South African Premiership

• 2022–23 – 13th
• 2023–24 – 15th
• 2024–25 – 8th

References

1. "Richards Bay's signing spree continues as Kenya international edges closer to joining ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates stars at KwaZulu-Natal club". msn.com. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
2. "Know Your Owner: The Man And Money Behind Richards Bay FC – Cash N Sport". Cash N Sport – The leading source of aggregated data and insight into sports business in Africa. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
3. Moyo, Lovemore. "Richards Bay FC coach Roger Sikhakhane ready to soldier on after Thanda Royal Zulu sale". Kickoff. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
4. Staff Reporter. "The PSL have approved AmaZulu's purchase of Thanda Royal Zulu's top-flight status". Kickoff. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
5. Lambley, Garrin (7 February 2021). "Shock result – Kaizer Chiefs crash out of Nedbank Cup against Richards Bay". The South African. Retrieved 8 March 2025.