Orlando Pirates held again by Richards Bay

DURBAN - Premiership strugglers Richards Bay once again proved a bogey team for Orlando Pirates by forcing a 0-0 draw in Durban on Saturday.

The Soweto Buccaneers came closest to scoring from two second-half free-kicks, with Bay goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane making superb reflex saves on both occasions.

Richards Bay and Pirates also drew 0-0 in November in a League Cup quarter-final, which the underdogs won on penalties.

Pirates are battling to regain the form which earned them second place in the Premiership last season behind Mamelodi Sundowns.

They lie eighth after 11 matches, eight points adrift of leaders Sundowns, who have three games in hand due to African commitments. Richards Bay remain second last.

Stellenbosch rose above Pirates to seventh after stretching an unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches with a surprise 1-0 away win over AmaZulu in Durban.

Ivorian Anicet Oura scored his first goal for the Cape winelands club after 31 minutes to inflict a first home league loss this season on AmaZulu.

German Ernst Middendorp, the new coach of bottom club Cape Town Spurs, lost his first match in charge as they fell 2-1 at home to Royal AM.