The Sharks Women moved past Border Ladies into the top four of the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, while Sanlam Boland Dames lost ground to DHL Western Province for semi-final hosting rights when they were humbled at home by the Bulls Daisies in round 12 of the tournament.
DHL WP kept their momentum going by beating Border and the Sharks’ surge came courtesy of an eight-try romp over the EP Queens. In the other match played on Saturday, the Golden Lions Women returned the favour to Free State Women with victory in Bloemfontein, reversing a home defeat earlier in the season.
The clash between the Dames and the Daisies was the main attraction on the weekend, with the defending champions leaving Boland Stadium in Wellington with a full house of points, winning 28-7.
The team from Pretoria scored two tries in each half, all four by their rampant forward pack, and after keeping the home side scoreless in the first half, conceded a second half try. The result was never in doubt though.
Boland all but lost the opportunity to finish second on the log as they are now eight points behind WP, with two more rounds to be played.
The Capetonians secured a valuable bonus point as well when they outlasted Border 22-15 at Belville High School, with the visitors fighting back well in the second half.
It was a closely contested affair. WP scored twice in the first half, while Border could only reply with a penalty goal. Both sides scored twice in the second half, but the first half buffer by the home side proved decisive.
The Golden Lions Women secured a fourth win of the season when they outplayed Free State in a tight match at Toyota Stadium. The visitors started best and were leading 19-15 at the break. Both sides scored a try apiece in the second half, which confirmed the slim advantage the Lions had during the game.
The Sharks Women were in control from the start in their clash against EP Queens. They scored eight tries and never looked in danger of losing out on a crucial win. The win will not only give them good momentum going into the final two rounds, the knowledge that they are in the top four will also boost their confidence.
Scorers:
Sharks Women 48 (24), EP Queens 9 (6)
- Sharks – Tries: Sinenhlanhla Luthuli (2), Noluthando Mbambo, Phatheka Dzanibe, Nontobeko Mathupha, Owami Zikhali (2), Ulender Khumalo. Conversions: Nomonde Mbanjwa, Tayla Kinsey (3).
- EP – Penalty goals: Zaza Nojoko (2). Drop goal: Nojoko.
Sanlam Boland Dames 7 (0), Bulls Daisies 28 (14)
- Dames – Try: Ricci Hennig. Conversion: Thanie Yeko.
- Daisies – Tries: Lusanda Dumke, Sophy Mashapa, Lebogang Ralebona, Asithandile Ntoyanto. Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (4).
DHL Western Province 22 (10), Border Ladies 15 (3).
- WP – Tries: Thandile Mazwi, Anelisiwe Mxabo, Alichia Arries, Anuckha Ekron. Conversion: Alicia Willemse.
- Border – Tries: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ziyanda Gqontsh. Conversion: Yandisa Nobanda. Penalty goal: Pinkie Touto.
Free State Women 22 (15), Golden Lions Women 24 (19)
Free State – Tries: Nelly Skosana, Bernice Strydom, Ole Sephaka. Conversions: Inge Sander (2). Penalty goal: Sander.
Lions – Tries: Khumo Nhlapo, Nthabiseng Monyemore, Piwokuhle Nyanda, Ropha Madyah. Conversions: Nyanda (2).
Eagirls keep unbeaten streak in Women’s First Division
The SWD Eagirls remained undefeated in the Women’s First Division with a fourth victory in the competition, while Limpopo Blue Bulls and Leopards Women also flexed their muscles in round five on Saturday.
The Eagirls had a real fight on their hands though when they faced Pumas Women at Patriot High School in Emalahleni. They scored two good tries in the opening half for a 10-0 lead after a Shannon Pieterse double, but almost let it slip in the second.
The Pumas scored twice to cut the lead to a single score, but a converted try by Antoneica Hannies proved the difference.
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women secured a come from behind win over Griffons Women in Polokwane, winning 36-24. The Northern Free Staters delivered their best performance of the year, leading 12-5 at the break and looked set for a first win of the year. Limpopo rallied strongly though with five second half tries securing the win.
A brace by replacement flyhalf, Abigail de Jager, eased the Leopards Women into a 20-5 win over Griquas in Potchefstroom. It was tight in the first half, with neither side managing a score, but thanks to De Jager and Vianca Boer, who kicked a conversion and a penalty, the home side could pull away from Griquas.
Scorers:
Pumas Women 12 (0), SWD Eagirls 17 (10)
- Pumas – Tries: Sonia Khumalo (2). Conversion: Alicia Mahlalela.
- SWD – Tries: Shannon Pieterse (2), Antoneica Hannies. Conversion: Hannies.
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 36 (5), Griffons Women 24 (12)
- Limpopo – Tries: Thania Mabosi (2), Tshepiso Mulanda, Zintle Mtana, Mapula Matsimela, Jessica Mabitsela. Conversions: Evelyn Mkhabele (3).
- Griffons – Tries: Mami Lechelekoane, Modjadji Mohalali, Jane Mohalali, Esona Qayiso. Conversions: Zane Steyl, Shirmeez Abrahams
Leopards Women 20 (0), Griquas 5 (0).
- Leopards – Tries: Abigail de Jager (2), Marli George. Conversion: Teddy Boer. Penalty goal: Boer.
- Griquas – Try: Winandre Onke.
Venusxx
Sport Trivia: Who was the first black player to represent South Africa in rugby? Answer: Errol Tobias made his debut for South Africa on 30th May 1981, against Ireland at Newlands. South Africa won the match 23-15. He went on to win six caps between 1981 and 1984.
Dahlia
Rugby first appeared at the Olympics 1900 – Interestingly, rugby first appeared as an Olympic sport in 1900 when the games were held in Paris. Since then, it’s appeared intermittently until its formal reintroduction at the Rio De Janeiro Games 2016, with both a male and female 7’s tournament played. At those games, Fiji won the men’s tournament winning their first ever Olympic medal in the country’s history.