COMMENT: Richards Bay must treat poor start as a red flag, not a crisis

Four games into the new season, Richards Bay sit bottom of the Betway Premiership with no points and already out of the MTN8. For co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane, the alarm bells are ringing.

The Natal Rich Boyz have stumbled out of the blocks, losing league encounters to Marumo Gallants, Golden Arrows and most recently Kaizer Chiefs. 

Their only cup appearance ended in a bruising 4-0 quarterfinal defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. And while the results sting, it is the way they’ve come — defensive lapses, lack of conviction in attack, and slow starts — that should be most concerning.

It’s a frustrating reality for a club that has experienced both extremes in recent years. 

Since their promotion, Richards Bay have twice flirted with relegation, but last season they surprised many by punching into the top eight. That run hinted at growth and maturity, but their current struggles threaten to undo that progress.

A big part of Richards Bay’s story has been their trust in homegrown talent. The club have consistently backed young players from the region, building squads rich with local flavour and potential. 

This season is no different, with several youthful faces once again given the chance to step up. While admirable and important for development, that reliance also comes with risk — and right now, the side doesn’t look as strong or balanced as it did during their top-eight run.

That’s the crux of the issue. Young squads bring energy, but they also require time, patience, and a spine of experience to steady them through difficult patches.

 At the moment, Richards Bay look short of that backbone, and it has shown in their results.

Defensively, they have been too easy to open up. The Sundowns thrashing was the most glaring example, but even against 

Gallants and Arrows they were punished for lapses in concentration. Organisational discipline at the back must improve if they are to stop the bleeding.

In attack, the issue is not a lack of chances, but a lack of composure. 

The Rich Boyz have created opportunities but wasted them, and in this league, missed chances almost always come back to haunt you. 

Their forwards must rediscover belief and sharpness before pressure mounts further.

Psychologically, the danger is just as big. Four straight defeats can weigh heavily on a young group, sapping confidence and creating self-doubt. 

That’s where Gabriel, Zothwane and the senior heads in the squad must step up, reminding the team of their resilience. 

The same club that reached the top eight last season is capable of competing — but only if they fight to rediscover that spark.

The truth is, Richards Bay cannot afford to shrug off this start as a slow beginning. It must be treated as a red flag — a signal that their survival hopes depend on tightening up now.

It is not yet a crisis. But unless urgency replaces complacency, the Rich Boyz could find themselves back in another relegation scrap, wasting the progress of last season and leaving their young talent exposed to a brutal campaign.