Crucial third-round clashes as Women’s Super League heats up

Cruel as it might sound, but come Saturday evening, the race to become the first champions of the rebranded Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 could be over for at least three teams after just three rounds of the competition.

With only a single round of matches leading into the final, the race to the top two spots on the log already looks fairly settled, and defeats for the Border Ladies, Sharks Women and Golden Lions Women will deal their final aspirations a massive blow. All three are in desperate need of a first win to get their charge going.

Defending champions, the Isuzu Bulls Daisies, and 2025 runner-up, DHL Western Province, are looking strong for a potential repeat, but Sanlam Boland Dames, who travel to Pretoria to take on the champs, might have other ideas following two wins out of two matches.

Such is the depth in the Daisies' side that any change to the match-23 can easily be seen as an improvement from the week before, and coaches Zenay Jordaan and Bongani Nogilana have the luxury of fine-tuning their best match-day squad as they march towards the final.

This time around, they will be boosted by a first appearance at home this season, with a good crowd expected at Loftus Versfeld, whilst the return of Springbok Women’s Sevens players Lerato Makua and Byrhandré Dolf will add pace and punch off the bench. The inclusion of team captain Anathi Qolo at flanker is an interesting move.

Boland will again lean heavily on their experienced 8/9 axis of Aseze Hele and Felicia Jacobs, with the selection of Chloe Adams at flyhalf an indication that coach Thomas Chowles wants to free up strike runners such as Tereske Kabuika and Arthea King.

EXTRA EXCITEMENT

Springbok Women coach Swys de Bruin will be in attendance in Pretoria, adding another layer of excitement to the two playing rosters.

For the Free State Women and EP Queens, both of whom have won one game so far this season, their results in Alberton and Gqeberha will be crucial to stay in the race as another defeat could be fatal for any title hopes.

The EP Queens, playing at home for the first time this season, welcome the Sharks Women, who, despite a capable side on paper, suffered two big defeats in their opening matches.

EP coach Deon Jordaan retained most of the squad that held the half-time lead in Bloemfontein last week, with Amber Olivier (flanker) and Johnerecia Booysen (wing) being rewarded for their efforts off the bench with starting roles this weekend.

For the Queens to be successful though, they need to sharpen up their discipline as they have conceded five yellow cards already and that could hamper their efforts against the Sharks Women should it happen again.

The Durban side finally have Ulender Khumalo back in action and the speedster will exploit any space left by missing defenders. Sharks coach Jason Hector made a rash of changes to his side following last weekend’s defeat against the Daisies, with Khumalo’s inclusion one of six changes in the backline. Mary Zulu will captain the side.

The Free State Women will fancy their chances against their hosts in Alberton, but a desperate Golden Lions Women side will not just roll over. The home side struggled on attack so far, scoring only one try in 160 minutes of rugby.

A return to flyhalf by Busisiwe Ncalane and selecting hard-running flanker Sinalo Honono at inside centre could solve the problem.

The Bloem side did something similiar, selecting evergreen Bernice Strydom in the midfield as well. The move from the forwards will not bother the former Springbok Women's lock, who has played for her province more than 80 times. It rather points to a tactical approach by the visitors to attack the inside channels of their hosts.

DHL Western Province travel to East London with a lot of confidence in their game and in particular, their game breakers. Their pack, with three Women’s Rugby World Cup players in Babalwa Latsha, Sinazo Mcatshulwa and Nomsa Mokwai all starting, should be able stand up to the home side and provide a steady stream of possession to their backs.

The visiting backs also have serious strike power with fullback Donelle Snyders back to the form that earned her Springbok colours in fifteens and sevens rugby. Anja le Roux will play off the bench to compound matters for the home side, with the WP U20 captain showcasing at the SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week in October last year that the feeder system to senior rugby is very bright.

Border took the Sanlam Boland Dames down to the wire last weekend in a much-improved performance from their season opener at Police Park against the Daisies, where they conceded 100 points. The hard-core running of Ladies captain Aphiwe Ngwevu remains a benchmark for defences in the provincial game and if WP can stop the charging midfielder, half of the battle will be won.

Match information:

Eastern Province Queens v Sharks Women

Venue: Otto du Plessis High School, Gqeberha

Date: Saturday, 28 February

Kick-off: 11am

Referee: Giana Viljoen

Border Ladies v DHL Western Province

Venue: Police Park, East London

Date: Saturday, 28 February

Kick-off: 1pm

Referee: Yohane Tredoux

Golden Lions Women v Free State Women