The Natal Rich Boys went into the encounter with confidence after a morale-boosting victory over Kaizer Chiefs last week and hoped to repeat the feat against the Buccaneers.

However, Pirates proved too strong on the night as goals in either half from Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa secured all three points at Orlando Stadium.

Speaking to SuperSport after the match, Zothwane said his side's cautious approach ultimately worked against them.

"It was our game-plan, you know Pirates is a good team. I think we wanted to deny space behind the defenders and our players did that exceptionally well, but I felt to a certain extent we defended too deep," said the former Bafana Bafana international.

"We should have taken the line a little bit higher and that's why it resulted in the two goals. But I must say the players defended very well. Because you're playing with young boys you always have to remind them and shout at them — that's the story of every game."

Zothwane noted that Richards Bay improved after the break once they started pushing further up the pitch.

"The reason, like I said before, where we were playing, I think we were far from the goals. In the second half I think we were much better because we wanted to confront them and push the line higher — that's why we managed to play more in their half."

"And I think the second half was much better. Seeing the touches that they had, they were facing their own goals. It was not touches that were dangerous to the opposition. We wanted to test their defenders but unfortunately it wasn't to be today," he added.

Despite the defeat, Richards Bay created a few late chances, particularly through Siyabonga Khumalo, who chose to pass instead of shooting in a promising position.

“I think it's the same goal like Pirates did,” said the 44-year-old.

"That cutback was a good pass but either way he could've maybe taken a shot in the roof past Chaine, but he is a young player, and he can learn more from the situation.

"But when he came in, he gave us something going forward and we created more scoring opportunities."

SuperSport United target struggling Marumo Gallants