Ten-man Marumo Gallants made a winning start to the Betway Premiership season after defeating Richards Bay FC 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Gabadinho Mhango made his debut for the host and partnered Siyabonga Nzama while Daniel Msendami, Sekela Sithole and veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi picked out the line-up for Gallants.
The visiting team hit the ground running on three minutes as Sithole carved out an opening to release Bheki Mabuza, who took it in his stride and rattled the back of the net.
Richards Bay, who were crushed 4-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-finals last weekend, looked to find a response but nothing materialised in the final third.
Gallants were down to ten men five minutes to the break when tough-tackling and experienced midfielder Edgar Manaka got his marching orders after being shown a straight red card.
The reduced numbers didn’t unsettle the visitors, who managed to hold their own to head into the interval firmly on the front-foot.
Coach Ronnie Gabriel made a substitution at the break and brought on Lundi Mahala for Mfunod Thikazi, while the visitors were unchanged.
The introduction paid dividends ten minutes in when Mahala popped up to find the back of the net and levelled matters for the Natal Rich Boys.
With new man Alexandre Lafitte at the helm, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa went searching for a second goal and looked to regain the lead but to no avail.
The Natal Rich Boys, though, pushed for the winner with a few half-chances from all variations, but the visitors held tight at the back.
Gallants at the death as Simo Mbhele struck the killer blow to leave the Natal Rich Boys shattered and gave the visiting side the winning start to the season.
Image: Richards Bay
Confirmed line-ups:
Richards Bay: Magoola, Zulu, Mabua, Mcineka, Nntungwa, Mthethwa, Gumede, Thikazi, Mthembu, Nzama, Mhango.
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Nhlapho, Chabatsane, Sikhosana, Mabotja, Mcube, Mabuza, Manaka, Msendami, Khumalo, Sithole.