Polokwane City put on a workmanlike performance in their opening fixture of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season by recording a hard-fought … win over Richards Bay at the Umhlathuze Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Rise and Shine were starved of the ball for much of the encounter-but were ultimately led by goals from Ndamulelo Maphangule and Tidimalo Molokwane with the pair showing their class from a corner and counter attacking situation respectively.

The game started at a timid pace at the Richards Bay stadium with neither side creating any notable scoring opportunities inside the first 10 minutes.

It was Rise and Shine who eventually drew first blood as Maphangule etched his name onto the scoreboard. After Lwandile Mabuya conceded a corner, Giovanni Philander placed a dangerous cross onto the edge of the six-yard area which Maphangule guided home toward the goalkeeper’s bottom left.

Richards Bay saw the majority of the ball possession during large parts of the first-half and came close to drawing level moments after the half-hour mark when Lindokuhle Zikhali let off a shot from outside the area that was saved by Lindokuhle Mathebula in goal.

Polokwane City continued to sit back and soak up the pressure as the half came to an end, coming close to doubling their lead in the 41st minute after Philander failed to convert his shot following a fast break.

The Natal Rich Boyz often looked to affect the scoreboard from range as the half concluded, as seen with failed attempts by Sanele Barns and Nqaba Xulu.

Polokwane City were swift out of the blocks in the second-half and increased their lead in the 56th minute through Molokwane who made the most of a fast break with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner.

With two goals down, Richards Bay battled to get into the game and were often let down by a lack of end product as seen when Mathebula denied Thulani Gumede with a save in the 62nd minute.

Not holding back, Richards Bay managed to get one back in the 69th minute following a corner conceded by Ndamulelo Maphangule. Assisted by Moses Mthembu, Simphiwe Mcineka found himself in the right place at the right time to guide home a headed effort from close range.

Richards Bay piled on the pressure after getting their name on the scoresheet and continued to boss the possession count during the closing moments of the match.

With six minutes added on at the end of the 90, Richards Bay found no way through the Polokwane City backline as the visitors managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.

Richards Bay: (0) 1 (Mcineka 69’)

Polokwane City: (1) 2 (Maphangule 18’, Molokwane 56’)

Richards Bay: Otieno, Gwele, Mcineka, Jali, Mabuya, Nashixwa, Barns (Nzama 66’), Zikhali (Mahala 66’), Mthembu, Xulu, Gumede

Polokwane City: Mathebula, Manthosi, Ramaja, Nkaki, Nkwe, Daniels (Nikani 88’), Maphangule, Kambala, Mnguni (Batlhabane 72’), Philander (Modise 46’), Molokwane