Richards Bay FC claim maiden KZN Premier's Cup title at revamped Umhlathuze Sports Complex

The win, their first in the competition, coincided with the official reopening of the refurbished Umhlathuze Sports Complex - their new home ground for the upcoming season.

The two-day tournament served not only as a pre-season curtain-raiser but also as a celebration of world-class sporting facilities returning to northern KwaZulu-Natal.

For the "Natal Rich Boyz", it was a perfect start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign as they look to establish themselves as a force in the province.

Richards Bay's route to the title included a hard-fought semi-final win over Midlands, before edging past a determined Durban City outfit who had earlier stunned AmaZulu 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final.

Despite their dramatic loss, AmaZulu assistant coach Siboniso Vilakazi was pleased with his side's performance.

"We're proud of the young players, and the tournament gave us a chance to rotate the squad. It also served as crucial preparation ahead of our MTN8 quarter-final," Vilakazi was quoted by IOL.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, exited in the quarter-finals after a closely contested 3-2 defeat to AmaZulu.

Arrows Assistant coach Musa Bilankulu applauded the commitment shown by his players, especially the new signings adjusting to their tactical structure.

"They followed our game plan well, and I was impressed by the newcomers' understanding of our system," he said.

While the spotlight was on Richards Bay for their historic triumph, the tournament offered valuable insight into the readiness of KZN's top clubs. 

For coach Ronnie Gabriel and his team, this early silverware could be the spark that fuels a breakthrough season.