Richards Bay emerged as 2-0 winners over their provincial rivals, AmaZulu FC, in the Betway Premiership match played at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday night.
The win took the Natal Rich Boys to the ninth spot in the standings after registering their fourth win of the campaign in the league. Co-coaches Ronnie Gabriel and Papi Zothwane's side will now head into the mid-season break.
Usuthu, on the other hand, remained fifth in the standings after registering their fourth defeat of the season in the league. Coach Arthur Zwane's side will wrap up the year 2025 with a match against Golden Arrows on 2 December.
The Natal Rich Boys got off to a promising start, with goal-hungry Moses Mthembu looking lively. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder fired the first warning when his effort missed the target as early as the second minute.
However, Mthembu did not make the same mistake in the 16th minute as he broke the deadlock when he beat goalkeeper Darren Johnson to hand the home side the lead. Richards Bay were leading 1-0 at the interval.
A lively second half followed, with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya being denied by keeper Ian Otieno as AmaZulu looked to level matters in the 51st minute. At the other end, Wandile Ngema saw his attempt saved by Johnson in the 64th minute.
Usuthu pushed for a late equalising goal in the latter stages of the match, but they were left vulnerable at the back. Ngema netted in the 84th minute to seal Richards Bay's 2-0 victory in the KwaZulu-Natal Derby encounter.
Richards (1) 2 (Mthembu 16', Ngema 84')
AmaZulu 0
RICHARDS BAY: Otieno, Mabuya, Mtungwa, Zulu, Zuke, Mthethwa, Ngema, Mthembu (Nzimande 89'), Mhango (Mahala 27'), Zikhali (Mbambo 90'+2), Mutizwa
AMAZULU: Johnson, Radebe (Sithole 68'), Hanamub, Mthethwa, Fielies, Hlangabeza, Bern (Mbanjwa 60'), Ngcobo (Kambindu 87'), Ngwenya (Masuku 60'), Maqokolo, Ekstein (Kutumela 68')