Richard Edward "Richie" Bands (born 25 March 1974 in Mafikeng) is a former South African rugby union test player.
He was part of the Springboks squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup and is fondly remembered in the South African rugby community for his memorable try for South Africa against the All Blacks in the 2003 Tri Nations Series.
Although he started his professional career as a hooker, he usually played as prop.
During his career he was part of the Blue Bulls provincial team in the Currie Cup (South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition) and the Bulls franchise in the Super 14 competition.