Crucial log positions at stake in Women’s Premier Division

There will be some keen interest in games played elsewhere among 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 semifinal. 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