Strong start for Leopards, SWD Eagirls in Women's First Division

The usual suspects were at it again at the start of the 2024 edition of the SA Rugby Women's First Division tournament on Saturday with last year's finalist, SWD Eagirls, starting with an impressive victory away from home. The Southern Cape side won 41-24 against Valke Women in Kempton Park.

The Leopards, finalists in 2022, were also victorious on the road when they gained a valuable 27-22 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women in Polokwane. There were also broad smiles in Kimberley, where Griquas Women outplayed their Pumas counterparts to the tune of 27-14.

The Leopards Women are top of the log after a very good win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women. The Limpopo side has been a tough nut to crack at home and the Leopards will be very pleased with a full house of points. Verana van Heerden also celebrated her return to the Potch side with a try, conversion and penalty, while speedy Jibrine Dube bagged three for the home side.

There were 11 tries on offer for the Barnard Stadium patrons in Kempton Park, but sadly only four of those belonged to the home side. The Eagirls proved just too slick for the Valke Women, who refused to lay down and came back strongly in the second half but the 26-5 lead by SWD proved a bridge too far for a comeback win.

Meanwhile, Griquas opened their account with a good all-round win over Pumas Women in Kimberley. The home side had a good outing, with some nice interplay between backs and forwards and never looked like losing. They outscored Pumas five tries to two in a good reflection of their dominance on the day.

Scorers:

Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 22 (5), Leopards Women 27 (12).

Limpopo - Tries: Jibrine Dube, Penalty try.

Leopards - Tries: Suane Buys, Mpho Tsima, Verana van Heerden, Penalty try.

Conversion: Van Heerden. Penalty goal: Van Heerden.

Valke Women 24 (5), SWD Eagirls 41 (26)

Valke - Tries: Matshediso Bojosi, Loré Gabri (Lolla) van der Merwe, Sibonelo Letsela, Awethu Stonga. Conversions: Londeka Ntanzi, Noluthando Nkosi.

SWD - Prelene Pegram (2), Euphinia Fillis (2), Mia-lee Matiwane, Chante Jonck, Antoneica Hannies. Conversions: Hannies (3).

Griquas Women 27 (17), Pumas Women 14 (7).

Griquas - Tries: Maxine Engelbrecht, Mekayla Bennette, Lauren Januarie, Winandre Onke, Chamelle Visagie. Conversion: Juanine Jacobs.

Pumas - Tries: Silindile Nyembe, Chantelle Mtsweni. Conversions: Nyembe (2).

Women First Division Leopards Women SWD Eagirls

Boks prepared for quick turnaround to England Test...

The Springboks are completely aware of the challenge presented by the short turnaround between their match on Sunday aga...

New Junior Bok coach excited to get stuck in...

Newly appointed Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote is excited about his new challenge and ready to roll up sleeves in pr...

Women’s Premier Division to start early in 2025...

A bumper women’s rugby season kicks off unusually early in January next year as all eyes turn towards the Rugby World Cu...

Boks reflect on “special” victory at Murrayfield...

Kwagga Smith, who ran out for his 50th Test cap in the Springboks’ 32-15 victory against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edin...

Snyman sets goals as new 7s season is confirmed...

The Springbok Sevens squad will start their 2025 HSBC SVNS campaign without three of their bronze medal-winning Olympic ...

SA squad announced for World Rugby U20 Champs

The Junior Springbok squad for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday, with Zachary Porthen – one of five players who will feature in the tournament for a second time – named as the captain of the team.

Huge anticipation as Women's First Division kicks off

The SA Rugby Women's First Division kicks off in three major rugby centers of the country on Saturday with all squads well aware of the possibilities of this journey for the team and individual players in the next couple of months.

Erasmus pleased as Boks wrap up first camp week

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the bedrock laid at the first week of the national training camp in Pretoria and was satisfied that they have a solid base to build from as the squad prepares to face Wales in the opening Test of the season at Twickenham next week Saturday.

Experienced duo returns as Blitzboks aim for Paris Olympics

Zain Davids and Shilton van Wyk return to the Springbok Sevens squad that will contest the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco from 21-23 June.

Coastal derbies highlight Women’s Premier Division clashes

The match between DHL Western Province and Sanlam Boland Dames highlights another intriguing round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, with this coastal derby a straight shoot-out for second spot on the log.

Olympic hopefuls assemble for Potchefstroom camp

Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Renfred Dazel invited a group of 17 players to a Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparation camp in Potchefstroom, with the squad assembling on Monday.

Boland, Sharks lay down early marker at Grant Khomo Week

Boland edged the Golden Lions while Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Sharks claimed valuable wins on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

Koch strikes 50 in exciting Bok squad featuring four debutants

Rugby World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch will earn his 50th Test cap on Saturday when the Springboks take on Wales at Twickenham in their first international since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France in October last year as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and features four uncapped players.

Nohamba crowned Vodacom URC Player of the Season

Emirates Lions utility back Sanele Nohamba was rewarded for his great form of the past eight months when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season for his stellar performances at scrumhalf and flyhalf for the team from Johannesburg.