Richards Bay coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi says his side were “bound and forced to improve” after avoiding automatic relegation in the DStv Premiership.

The Natal Rich Boys claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates thanks to a 36th minute goal from Sanele Barns at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The win sees Richards Bay are placed 15th on the table with 27 points from 28 matches, Pirates in third place on the log with 49 points from 28 games.

Vilakazi has urged his side to dig deep and try their best to avoid relegation from the league.

“We were bound and forced to improve, we wanted to save the team,” Vilakazi told SuperSport TV after the game.

“We want to save the status so we have to dig deep and try our best.

“Obviously, we never started pre-season together but at least now the performance there and the players know how to respond and what we need as the coaching or technical staff.”

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