Scramble for play-off places in Premier Division

The two top sides in the Women's Premier Division will clash in Pretoria in a repeat of last year’s final, while matches in Durban, East London and Uitenhage could have crucial consequences for the remaining semi-final contenders.

The Bulls Daisies will host DHL Western Province in what could be a precursor to the final next month, but the defending champions will run out at Loftus Versfeld on Friday fully aware of what happened in their previous encounter this year.

The Capetonians were the only team to beat the Daisies in the last two years when they won 22-10 in their previous match on 25 May, so they have the confidence and knowledge of how it can be done.

The WP team to play in Pretoria on Saturday show a number of personnel changes from that day, with the most significant the inclusion of Camelita Malone to start at scrumhalf and Anuschka Groenewald at openside flanker, although she normally plays at hooker. Both are highly rated but will be tested by more experienced and street wise opponents with numerous international caps.

The visitors will be acutely aware of the sharp shooting abilities of Jakkie Cilliers, who has scored 137 points already in the season, a new record in the competition. At Loftus, her range will be amplified and any lack of discipline by WP could cost them in a match that could be determined by a few points only.

The other semi-final contenders can all be regarded as favourites in their matches this weekend, if earlier encounters this year are anything to go by.

The Sharks Women host their counterparts from the Free State in a match they won 34-17 in Bloemfontein last time around. The Free Staters’ last victory was in May and they will find a fired-up home side at Hollywoodbets King's Park.

The KwaZulu-Natalians are well aware of their inferior points’ difference in relation to the other top sides, so they will need some big scores in their last couple of matches.

Border Ladies await the Golden Lions Women in East London and should have more than enough in the tank to repeat their 38-24 win in Johannesburg in late May. Bonus points will be non-negotiable at Baysville High School, as points difference in their fourth-place tussle with the Sharks could determine the final placing.

Sanlam Boland Dames travel to Uitenhage with the knowledge that a full house against the EP Queens will keep their ambitions to finish second on the log alive, especially if Western Province trip up in Pretoria. For that, they need a strong finish and some confidence following some recent losses.

The Bolanders outplayed the Queens 49-0 in their previous encounter in Hermanus and will be looking for more of the same. A home win for EP will be a massive upset.

Match information:

Bulls Daisies vs DHL Western Province
Date: Friday, 19 July 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14h30
Referee: Stiaan Marx
TV: SS Variety 2

Sharks Women v Free State Women
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Caleb Hibbert

EP Queens v Sanlam Boland Dames
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Central Fields, Uitenhage
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Siya Mhana

Border Ladies v Golden Lions Women
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Baysville High School, East London
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: Aneka Fick

First Division expand footprint in fifth round

The SWD Eagirls look set to enhance their position at the top of the log in the Women’s First Division on Saturday when round five of the competition kicks off.

The Eagirls will travel to Oudtshoorn for the first time this season to host Griquas Women, while the Pumas Women await the Valke Women in White River, another new venue for the Mpumalanga side.

The Leopards will have the familiar surroundings of Olën Park in Potchefstroom when they face their neighbours, the Griffons Women.

The home team should have too much firepower for their visitors in the clash in the North West province, especially since the Griffons are still searching for a first win, but the Leopards will underestimate them at their own peril.

The Leopards have not managed to get their attack going, and scored only 13 tries so far and will be keen to exploit the Welkom team’s defence, which has been porous to say the least.

The Eagirls have secured good wins at the Bridgton Sportsground in the past and current form suggests another good outing. They struggled against the Pumas last weekend though and that is something Griquas will be well aware of.

The Eagirls have serious strike power amongst their backs, while the visitors prefer to keep it close to the pack, so a nice clash of styles await the crowd in Oudtshoorn.

The most significant clash with regards to log positions will take place in White River. The Pumas have surprised with their attacking play so far and their 19 tries in five matches is proof of that.

The Valke, who had a bye last week, have also scored 19 tries, but only played four matches, so attacking rugby awaits. A win for either side could move them into second place on the standings.

Limpopo Blue Bulls Women are currently in second place, but they have a bye this weekend and could be overhauled by the end of the round.

Match information:

Leopards Women v Griffons Women
Date: Saturday 20 July 2024
Venue: Olën Park, Potchefstroom
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Yohane Halgryn

SWD Eagirls v Griquas Women
Date: Saturday 20 July 2024
Venue: Bridgton Sportsground, Oudtshoorn
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: John McDuling

Pumas Women v Valke Women
Date: Saturday 20 July 2024
Venue: White River Rugby Club, White River
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Blessings Sibande

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

Four women complete WR Level 3 coaching course...

Four women were amongst a delegation of 28 coaches from across Africa who successfully completed World Rugby’s Level 3 c...

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...

Injury-enforced changes to Junior Bok match-23

Wandile Mlaba, who was called up to the Junior Springbok squad earlier this week, is set to make his SA U20 debut off the bench in Friday’s final encounter of the World Rugby U20 Championship against Wales in Cape Town.

Erasmus cuts Bok squad before Portugal Test

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus reduced his squad from 41 to 25 players for the Portugal Test after the expanded squad wrapped up their main preparations for the closing match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series.

Soyizwapi: We give ourselves a chance to medal

Six months ago, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was the last thing on Siviwe Soyizwapi's mind as he was still recovering from a knee injury and the Springbok Sevens were tumbling out of the automatic qualification spots on the HSBC SVNS log.

RWC Trophy Blitz hits Bloem in historic Test week

Five members of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup squad – including local heroes Ox Nche and Cobus Reinach – will take the Webb Ellis Cup on its fourth stop of the RWC Trophy Blitz, at Loch Logan Mall in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

Match official appointments to 21 July 2024

Match official appointments for the next few days have been made with the July Test window coming to a close and the final round of playoff matches in the World Rugby U20 Championship taking place.

Moerat delighted to lead SA against Portugal

Salmaan Moerat was still in awe about being named Springbok captain and said while it was a massive privilege for him and his family, it was great to be able to lean on double Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi – who is only a call away – and the more experienced players in the matchday squad that will line up against Portugal in the closing Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Junior Boks save their best for last to bury Wales

With their pack of forwards setting the tone, the Junior Springbok regained some pride when they beat Wales by 47-31 (half-time 19-5) in their World Rugby U20 Championship seventh-place playoff on a sunny Friday afternoon at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Junior Boks finish Championship on positive note

Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko praised his players’ dedication and character as they beat Wales to finish their 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign on a positive note in Cape Town on Friday.

Ten-try Boks too strong for brave Portugal in Bloem

The Springboks completed the Castle Lager Incoming Series with a commanding 64-21 win over Portugal (half-time 29-7) at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening, scoring 10 tries in a match where rugby was the other big winner on a cold Free State night.