The Bulls Daisies will host the Border Ladies in the semifinals of the Women's Premier Division next weekend, while DHL Western Province will welcome Sanlam Boland Dames to Cape Town in the other top four clash, following the completion of the 14 rounds of league matches on the weekend.
Scores were tied 12-12 at the break of the Gauteng derby, but the Daisies outplayed the Golden Lions Women in the second half to record a comfortable 55-24 victory at Loftus Versfeld (12-12), while Border were in rampant mood, scoring 14 tries as they not only secured the most telling result by beating the Free State Women 88-13 in Bloemfontein, but also moved into fourth spot.
The Sharks Women, who were still in semi-final contention at the start of the round, failed in their quest to stay in the top four when they were beaten 42-10 by the Dames in Worcester.
The home side were in control from the outset and managed to cut loose their back line despite heavy underfoot conditions.
DHL Western Province secured second spot with a 29-5 win over EP Queens at a windswept and very wet Brookside field in Claremont – a new venue after City Park was deemed not fit to play on due to the adverse weather in the region.
It was a hard slog due to the conditions, but the home side never allowed their Eastern Cape visitors any comfort.
Scorers:
Bulls Daisies 55 (12), Golden Lions Women 24 (12)
Bulls – Tries: Sinelitha Noxeke, Surprise Baloi, Faith Tshauke, Sophy Mashapa (2), Yonela Ngxingolo, Anathi Qolo, Lucky Nkhumishe, Patience Mokone. Conversions: Zintle Nonkasana (2), Unathi Mali (3). Lions – Tries: Nthabiseng Monyemore, Sinalo Honono, Masingita Simango, Khumo Nhlapo. Conversions: Piwokuhle Nyanda (2).
Sanlam Boland Dames 42 (22), Sharks Women 10 (3)
Boland – Tries: Maxene Valentine, Buhle Sonamzi, Felicia Jacobs, Maceala Samboya, Thanie Yeko, Nomawethu Mabenge, Ondela Lungisa (2). Conversion: Amanda Klassen.
Sharks – Try: Nontobeko Mathupha. Conversion: Tayla Kinsey. Penalty goal: Kinsey.
DHL Western Province 29 (10), EP Queens 5 (0)
WP – Tries: Voice Ndou (2), Alichia Arries, Alicia Willemse, Thandile Mazwi. Conversions: Anja le Roux (2).
EP – Try: Sibabalwe Klaas.
Free State Women 13 (6), Border Ladies 88 (38)
Free State – Try: Penalty Try. Penalty goals: Inge Sander (2).
Border – Tries: Chuma Delubom, Mado Mdliki (2), Zahara Makhomazi, Zintle Holofela (2), Aphiwe Ngwevu, Asi Plaatjies (2), Eloise Webb (2), Ziyanda Gqontshi, Phola Mbonja, Siphe Hlangani. Conversions: Yandisa Nobanda (6), Holofela (3).
SWD keep clean slate in Women's First Division
The SWD Eagirls kept their winning streak in the Women's First Division intact in Groot Brakrivier on Saturday, beating Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 69-5.
This was their sixth win in six rounds, and they will host fourth-placed Pumas Women in next weekend's semifinals.
SWD wing Shannon-Lee Windvogel was a handful and scored five tries at Greenhaven Sportsground.
The Leopards Women will host Limpopo in the other semi-final after they finished strong as well, beating Valke Women 33-12 in Kempton Park to finish with five wins out of six.
The Valke needed to get at least two bonus points in this match to secure a play-off spot but found the visitors too strong.
In the other match of the weekend, Griquas Women travelled to Welkom, where they outplayed Griffons Women 36-12.
The win moved them to 15 log points, the same as the Pumas (who had a bye), but the team from Mpumalanga finished fourth due to a better points’ difference.
The Griffons were the only side to remain winless after the six rounds of the competition.
Scorers:
Griffons Women 12 (7), Griquas Women 36 (24)
Griffons – Tries: Beauty Kholuoe, Jane Mohalali. Conversion: Tshepiso Matelile.
Griquas – Tries: Nomvila Sekosana (2), Leilani Januarie, Lidene Kruger (2), Donishea Cloete. Conversions: Cloete (3).
SWD Eagirls 69 (17), Limpopo 5 (5)
SWD – Tries: Danielle Jonas, Neidene Solomons, Mia-lee Matiwane, Shannon-Lee Windvogel (5), Chante Jonck, Shannon Pieterse (2). Conversions: Marnazelle Rabie (7).
Limpopo – Try: Prosperity Dlamini.
Valke Women 12, Leopards Women 33
Valke - Tries: Noluyanda Mtshweni, Amu Lisenga, Conversion: Londeka Ntanzi
Leopards – Tries: Baby Plaatjies (2), Kagisho Miggels (2), Teddy Gatyana. Conversions: Marli George, Verana van Heerden (3).