The top four sides in the Women’s Premier Division will clash on Saturday in what may just turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the semi-finals, which are a few weeks away.
The top-ranked Bulls Daisies travel to Wellington to take on the Sanlam Boland Dames, currently in third spot, while second-placed DHL Western Province host fourth-placed Border Ladies at their City Park fortress.
The Sharks Women (fifth), the only other team with realistic play-off credentials, will await the EP Queens in Durban, while the Free State Women welcome the travelling Golden Lions Women.
Both Western Cape sides would have seen their weekly preparation hampered by the adverse weather conditions, but the other side of the coin will be that the expected heavy underfoot conditions could work in their favour.
The Boland forwards are one of the best geared for close range combat, but they are up against a team that only lost once in two years, so the Wellington clash could be a real arm wrestle. The ball carrying ability of Springbok Women No 8 Aseza Hele for Boland will be vital if they want to topple the champions.
The Daisies are an all-round team and might be better suited in the kicking department. The Qawe twins, Chumisa (Daisies) and Chuma (Dames) will also line up against each other for the first time in a while.
Another set of sisters will play for DHL WP, with Bronishia Hess elevated to the starting pack at No 8 and older sibling Shaunique the regular starting outside centre.
The Capetonians tweaked their side from last week, with the unpredictable Donelle Snyders coming into the fray at fullback. Snyders played for both the Springbok Women and Springbok Women’s Sevens sides already and will be a handful.
Border have their own midfield wizards in Aphiwe Ngwevu and Asi Plaatjies and travel to Cape Town with the knowledge that they have beaten their opponents earlier in the season. The kicking prowess from Eloise Webb at fullback will be factor. Like Snyders, she is a dual international and has played at Rugby World Cups in both formats, which could just be what Border need for this one.
The Sharks know that only a bonus point win will keep their aspirations alive, so it could be an entertaining morning at Riverside Sports Complex in Durban North, where the KwaZulu-Natalians’ international halfback pairing are key to their fortunes.
The Queens, fresh off their first win of the season last weekend, will be keen to continue with that positive momentum, but their defence will be tested against the home side.
The Bloemfontein clash will be about bragging rights. The Free State side won 31-12 in their responding clash at Emirates Airline Park last time around, but they have since lost their swagger.
On the other hand, the Gautengers are well aware of this and could pounce on the lack of confidence the Bloemfonteiners showed in recent outings. They are without Bok prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo though and that will impact their scrums.
Match information:
Sharks Women v EP Queens
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: Riverside Sports Complex, Varsity College, Durban North
Kick-off: 10h00
Referee: Caleb Hibbers
Free State Women v Golden Lions
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 11h00
Referee: Scott Olivier
Sanlam Boland Dames v Bulls Daisies
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Siyanda Pikoli
DHL Western Province v Border Ladies
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: City Park, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
Exciting weekend of First Division action awaits
Expect more movement on the Women’s First Division log this Saturday with games in Potchefstroom, Polokwane and Emalahleni all vitally important for the home sides.
The Valke Women, who were on top of the standings two weeks ago, have a bye this weekend and could be overhauled by four other contenders into second place.
Log leaders, the SWD Eagirls, are expected to beat the Pumas at the alma mater of RWC-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, Patriot High School, to extend their lead at the top, but will be aware of the two wins already secured by the team from Mpumalanga.
Leopards Women and Griquas Women both have 10 log points, so a bonus point win will elevate them to second spot, or even the top of the pile, depending on results elsewhere.
In Polokwane, an unlucky venue for the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women this far, the winless Griffons Women will chase a first victory. The Limpopo side lost both home games so far, but their backs will pose a massive threat to the Welkom team, who was slow out of the blocks in the tournament.
Match information:
Leopards Women v Griquas Women
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: Olen Park, Potchefstroom
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Martie Mostert
Limpopo Women v Griffons Women
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: University of Limpopo, Polokwane
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Excellent Mnkomo
Pumas Women v SWD Eagirls
Date: Saturday, 13 July 2024
Venue: Patriot High School, Emalahleni
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Nalezeri Pretorius
Hitch Frenzy
Dan Carter, a former All Blacks fly-half, is regarded as one of the greatest players in rugby history. He is the highest point scorer in test rugby, with 1,598 points, and has won the World Rugby Player of the Year award twice (2005 and 2012).
Knuckles
Wasim Akram’s highest Test innings score of 257 is higher than that of Sachin Tendulkar\’s (who has 248 n.o. to his credit).