Durban City FC 1-1 Richards Bay
International Club Friendly | 25 July 2026, 19:00

Durban City FC and Richards Bay played out a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly that gave both sides useful minutes ahead of the new campaign. The match was played in Durban in warm conditions, with both teams showing flashes of quality.

First Half Action

Durban City started strongly, pressing high and moving the ball quickly. Their efforts were rewarded in the 18th minute when a well-worked corner was headed home at the back post. The home side continued to dominate possession, but Richards Bay's defence remained compact and difficult to break down.

Richards Bay grew into the game as the first half progressed. They began to find space in midfield and tested the Durban goalkeeper with a couple of long-range efforts. The equaliser came shortly after the half-hour mark when a quick break down the left flank ended with a cross being turned in at the near post.

Second Half: Tactical Battle

The second half was more of a tactical battle. Both managers made multiple substitutions to give squad players valuable game time. Chances were few and far between, with defences on top. Durban City came closest to a winner when a shot from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar.

Richards Bay also had a golden opportunity late on, but their striker fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. The match ended honours even, which seemed a fair reflection of the balance of play.

Pre-Season Progress

For Durban City FC, the friendly provided a chance to test combinations and fitness levels. They will be pleased with the defensive organisation but will want to sharpen their finishing. Richards Bay will take confidence from a solid away performance and the ability to create chances on the counter-attack.

Both teams will continue their pre-season schedules with valuable lessons from this 1-1 draw.