Buccaneers face tough test in DStv Premiership this weekend

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Oct 07, 2022. 11:00

Orlando Pirates will have their resilience tested in a shortened weekend of DStv Premiership action, as they look to bounce back from a midweek defeat.

With Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town City (CAF Champions League), Marumo Gallants and Royal AM (CAF Confederation Cup) in African club competition action this weekend, just four matches will be played in South Africa’s top flight.

Proceedings get underway on Friday evening with a meeting of two of the midweek’s big winners: SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United.

The former claimed a first victory over Royal to surge into third place on the log and join the pack of clubs chasing leaders Sundowns, while the latter claimed a major scalp by downing Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they host Richards Bay in Soweto on Saturday night, with coach Jose Riveiro looking for a much improved performance compared to their showing against Babina Noko.

“It was not our best performance. There were many moments where the opponent was better, not through good football but through domination,” admitted the Spaniard.

Yet the Natal Rich Boyz will be tough opponents, having picked up a third win from their last four matches when they defeated provincial rivals AmaZulu 1-0 in midweek – a result which pushed them into second place, just three points behind pace-setters Sundowns.

Saturday also sees TS Galaxy and Swallows meet at Mbombela Stadium – with both teams looking to shrug off midweek defeats at the hands of Marumo and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.

Chiefs themselves face a tough test on Sunday when they battle Stellenbosch FC at the Cape Town Stadium. Stellies are fresh from a 3-0 thrashing of Maritzburg United in midweek and looking forward to hosting the Soweto giants in a big venue.

The last meeting between the teams took place at the small Danie Craven Stadium in August, which was unable to cope with the large crowd that descended on their MTN8 quarterfinal.

“I think it’s best to play Chiefs, after the last time, at Cape Town Stadium,” said Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker.

“Cape Town Stadium, we’re quite familiar with it. We’ve played a number of times there. There are players that live out that side. It is home from home.

“Obviously, ideally, you would want to be playing every game in Stellenbosch but we understand the reasoning and the thought behind not playing it there.

“It’s always a nice occasion hosting Chiefs, always a big crowd, it just adds to the occasion.”

DStv Premiership weekend fixtures

Times CAT

Friday 7 October

19:30: SuperSport United v Sekhukhune United

Saturday 8 October

15:30: TS Galaxy v Swallows

20:00: Orlando Pirates v Richards Bay

Sunday 9 October

15:30: Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs