Reflecting on their preparation, Truter was candid about the toll the fixture congestion has taken on his team. “It’s tough, man. Magesi FC didn’t play at all, and we just played Pirates this week, so they are fresh,” he said. “My boys are tired, I have to be honest. You can see it in their body language and in their eyes. It’s been a lot of fatigue management.”

Richards Bay’s recent fixtures, including an intense extra-time showdown and penalty shootout against Cape Town City, have drained the squad physically and mentally. With just a few days between their last game and the upcoming semifinal, Truter has had to carefully balance recovery and tactical preparation.

“After the Pirates game, the first day was all about recovery,” he explained. “Then we had to travel back, and Thursday was another recovery session. Today, we just focused on tactics. Suspension-wise, we still have [Langelihle] Mhlongo out, but we welcome back [Yanela] Mbuthuma.”

Despite the challenges, Truter emphasized that his team’s spirit remains strong. “Tactically, we’ll have a plan. A lot of it has been analysis and team meetings. I think that’s going to be key for us,” he noted. “Mental preparation and motivation are crucial. This game represents something bigger—it’s a chance to make history for the club and an opportunity for the players to enhance their image and career.”

With a fatigued squad and a crucial match at home, Richards Bay FC will need to dig deep to overcome Magesi FC and seize their moment in the Carling Knockout Cup.