Tight matches expected in women’s provincials

The SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division reaches the halfway stage on Saturday, with clear patterns in performance and a log clearly showing the dominance of the Bulls Daisies this year, while in the four teams at the top of the First Division standings face off this weekend.

The Daisies are the only undefeated side in the tournament and more importantly, the team from Pretoria have blanked both Border Ladies and DHL Western Province – last year’s finalists – 31-0 and 41-0 respectively away from home.

Border occupy second place and WP are third on the log, with both teams looking set to secure top four positions, but below them a real scrap has developed, with all of the Cell C Sharks Women, EP Queens, Boland Dames and Mastercard Golden Lions Women battling it out for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Lions will have to play out of their skins if they are going to improve their position on the standings this weekend, as they travel north to Pretoria where the Daisies will play their first game of the season at Loftus Versfeld, and they will be massive favourites to maintain their winning streak.

The Ladies have a bye this weekend, while DHL Western Province will face an uncomfortable trip to Nelson Mandela Bay. They also have injury concerns following their mauling by the Daisies last weekend and could be vulnerable.

The EP Queens know that every defeat, especially at home, will severely dent their play-off hopes, and they will have to face their Western Cape rivals without Springbok speedster Nomawethu Mabenge, who is struggling with a leg injury.

The Cell C Sharks Women host the Boland Dames in Durban in what could be a very tight contest. Boland have been improving every match and clinched a first win of the season last weekend, while the home side had a bye and the fresh legs could prove the difference.

Expect a fierce battle in the early game of the round though, with a free running Aseza Hele posing a real threat to the KwaZulu-Natalians, who will bank on their backs to get them heaps of tries.

To see the full standings with the halfway stage of the competition approaching, click here.

Match information:

Cell C Sharks Women v Boland Dames
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park 2, Durban
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Bulela Qwane

Bulls Daisies v Mastercard Golden Lions Women
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Zoe Naude
Livestream: SuperSport Schools App

EP Queens v DHL Western Province
Venue: Wolfson Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
Livestream: SuperSport Schools App

Women’s First Division

The big clash in the second round of the Women’s First Division is between last year’s finalists, the SWD Eagirls and Leopards, in Potchefstroom. SWD won in 2022 to claim bragging rights and the trophy, but they will be well aware that their trip to North West province will result in a fiercely contest match. Both sides won their opening encounters last weekend and the result of this match could have a big impact on the final later in the season.

The Free State Women will have something to say about that though as they look to claim another neighbouring scalp, this time in Kimberley where they face Griquas Women. The team from Bloemfontein smashed the Griffons in Welkom in the opening round and will be keen to continue their dominance over their Northern Cape rivals at Windhoek Draught Stadium on Saturday.

While the top four teams on the log play each other this weekend, all of the Pumas Women, Limpopo Blue Bulls Women, Griffons Women and Valke Women will be looking to bounce back immediately after suffering defeats in the opening round.

The Pumas will host the Griffons in Middelburg, while Valke hope to treat the Barnard Stadium faithful in Kempton Park to a win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls. That match will be played after the Mzansi Challenge final between the Valke and SWD, which kicks off at 12h30.

Match information:

Griquas Women v Free State Women
Venue: Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 11h00
Referee: Sinesipho Foloti

Leopards Women v SWD Eagirls
Venue: Olën Park, Potchefstroom
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Aneka Fick

Pumas Women v Griffons Women
Venue: Steelcrest High School, Middelburg
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Cameron Dyers

Valke Women v Limpopo Blue Bulls Women
Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park
Date: Saturday, 17 June
Kick-off: 15h15
Referee: Siyanda Pikoli

Women's Premier Division DHL Western Province Bulls Daisies Border Ladies Cell C Sharks Women Mastercard Golden Lions Women Boland Dames EP Queens

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