Crucial log positions at stake in Premier Division

There will be some keen interest in games played elsewhere amongst the six teams in action in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, with all three matches having the potential to change the current standings.

The most anticipated of these round 11 clashes will be between the Border Ladies and Sanlam Boland Dames in Mthatha.

The Dames are third on the log with 38 points and although the gap between them and fourth-placed Border (29 points) seems big, victory by the Eastern Cape hosts will see them close the gap on the log.

Furthermore, Boland cannot afford another slip-up in their pursuit to a top two finish and potentially hosting a semi-final. They selected a very experienced squad, boosted by the return of fit-again Springbok Women speedster Nomawethu Mabenge, who has scored nine tries already this year.

DHL Western Province (41 points) are currently in second place on the log and should have the better of the Golden Lions Women if current form is used as measurement.

WP won 42-0 in Cape Town last time around and with the Golden Lions’ preparations interrupted by some players participating in the USSA tournament, it could be a long afternoon for the hosts in Alberton.

The Free State Women will travel down to Nelson Mandela Bay knowing that a win will keep them away from the bottom of the log and based on the 55 points they scored against in the EP Queens in their previous clash, they will have good faith in a similar performance.

The Queens have nothing to lose though and would have targeted this clash as a must win when the fixtures were released.

Leaders the Bulls Daisies (50 points) and fifth-placed Sharks Women played their fixture last weekend and the easy win by the defending champions in Pretoria cemented their top of the log status. The Durban side (26 points) will hope for a Boland win as they cannot afford the Border side to move away from them.

Match information:

Border Ladies v Sanlam Boland Dames
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Mthatha Stadium, Mthatha
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Bulela Qwane

EP Queens v Free State Women
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Wolfson Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Andiswa Mbilase

Golden Lions Women v DHL Western Province
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Alberton Rugby Club, Alberton
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Cammy Dyers

Women’s First Division teams into their stride

Some very competitive clashes in round four of the Women’s First Division can be expected in Bethal, Welkom and Kimberley this weekend, as teams are getting into their stride and putting their best foot forward.

It is also clear that home ground advantage does not guarantee results, with five of the seven teams having already secured away wins.

The high flying Valke Women will travel to Kimberley with good momentum and confidence but dare not underestimate the Griquas Women in their early match at Suzuki Stadium.

Griquas will be smarting after being overrun by Limpopo last week and if they return to their early season form that yielded a win against Pumas, it will be a very competitive match.

The Pumas Women host Limpopo Blue Buls Women, who will be looking for a second win on the road after starting their season with two home defeats. The match will be played at a new venue, the Jim van Tonder School in Bethal.

The SWD Eagirls are back in action after last week's bye and should have too many weapons in their arsenal when they travel to Welkom to face the Griffons Women.

The hosts will need to defend for 80 minutes if they want to contain the free flowing SWD attack, who scored 12 tries in their two matches to date. The Griffons are the only ones yet to register a win.

The Leopards Women have a bye.

Match information:

Griquas Women v Valke Women
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
Kick-off: 11h00
Referee: Daniel Canhenga

Pumas Women v Limpopo Blue Bulls
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Jim van Tonder School, Bethal
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Yohane Halgryn

Griffons Women v SWD Eagirls
Date: Saturday, 6 July 2024
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Aneka Fick

Women's Premier Division Women's First Division Bulls Daisies Sanlam Boland Dames DHL Western Province Border Ladies EP Queens Golden Lions Women Free State Women Sharks Women

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...

Springbok Women's Sevens Queens of Africa again...

The Springbok Women's Sevens team overcame Kenya 19-10 in a hard-fought final of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens in Ghan...

Dazel: Mission accomplished in Ghana...

It was a mixed bag of emotions for Springbok Women's Sevens coach Renfred Dazel in Accra, Ghana on Sunday after his squa...

Springbok Women's Sevens into Africa quarter-final...

The Springbok Women's Sevens will play Senegal in the quarter-finals of the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens on Sunday (12h06...

Simmers: Job’s not done yet with Bok Women’s 7s...

She has achieved more than any other Springbok Women’s Sevens player, but for team captain Mathrin Simmers, the job is n...

“We need to bring the physicality and enjoy the occasion”

Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has emphasised the importance of accuracy in their execution and said the team had to be physical and enjoy the occassion as they go in search of their first victory against Ireland since 2016 when the Castle Lager Incoming Series kicks off in Pretoria on Saturday.

Argentina boss Junior Boks in Stellenbosch

Argentina delivered a physically superior performance to beat a bumbling Junior Springbok side by 31-12 in their World Rugby U20 Championship pool clash played in rainy conditions in Stellenbosch on Thursday night.

The 2024 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #1 – Kick-off edition

The Carling Currie Cup Premier Division returns this weekend, with some big clashes between traditional rivals that will no doubt deliver thrilling action in South Africa’s oldest domestic provincial competition.

SA Schools surge past 'A' team in second half

The SA Schools side overturned a two-point deficit at halftime with a strong second half surge to win their annual clash against the SA Schools 'A' team by 38-22 in an entertaining encounter played at Monument High School in Krugersdorp on Thursday.

EP and Bulls share spoils in U16 Girls Week finale

Boland, Western Province and the Sharks extended their respective winning streaks, while Eastern Province drew with the Blue Bulls on the second day of the U16 Girls Week staged at Jeppe High School on Thursday.

Boks do the business against Ireland in Pretoria

The Springboks won a pulsating and drama-filled Test by 27-20 against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria to go one-nil up in the Castle Lager Incoming Series, a match that will be talked about for a while by all of the 50,066 spectators in attendance.

Job done, but far from perfect, says Erasmus

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus let out a sigh of relief following the Springboks’ hard-fought 27-20 (halftime 13-8) victory over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in the first of two Tests in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.

Junior Boks shuffle team for big England clash

The Junior Springbok team to face England on Tuesday at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in a vital Pool C match of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, show several changes from the line-up that faced Argentina.

Du Toit: “We want win both Tests”

Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit relished the occasion of facing Ireland on home soil for the first time since 2016 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, but agreed with Rassie Erasmus (coach) there were areas they had to work when they return to the training field on Monday.