Huge boost for women's rugby as new Super League kicks off

It may be Valentine’s Day on Saturday, but there will be no love lost when South Africa’s top eight women’s provincial teams return to action as the wait is finally over for fans of this fast-growing sport, with the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 kicking off a new era for women’s rugby.

The competition – now in a new guise thanks to the title sponsorship of Pick n Pay, and associate partnership of Vodacom – will see the eight leading teams in the country face each other in a single round of matches, with a grand finale penned down for 4 April 2026.

Rugby fans – particularly a growing number of supporters of the women's game – were keen to see South Africa's best players return to action after the record-breaking performances of the Springbok Women at the Women's Rugby World Cup played in England last year.

To add to the anticipation of the new season, one of SA Rugby’s principal partners, Pick n Pay, took on the naming rights of the competition and their involvement will see some real benefits for fans getting involved by either attending matches or follow the action on SuperSport or via live streaming, with weekly prizes and hampers up for grabs, including a grand prize of attending the final.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, welcomed Pick n Pay’s involvement, “Ever since coming on board as one of our principal partners last year, Pick n Pay has gone above and beyond, not only through their sponsorship of our national teams, but also throwing their support behind grassroots rugby.

“By partnering with our provincial women's competitions in a new guise as the Pick n Pay Women's Super Leagues, they have delivered on their promise to celebrate the values that unite us as South Africans, in homes and communities, always creating great value and opportunities.

“To elevate women's rugby is of utmost importance to SA Rugby, and to go at it hand-in-hand with partners such as Pick n Pay and Vodacom, makes it easier with the scope to grow the game even more. We're excited about this new chapter in our game and we'd like to thank Pick n Pay and Vodacom for their role,” added Oberholzer.

Tessa Chamberlain, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Pick n Pay, said: “Pick n Pay’s sponsorship of the Women’s Super League reflects our belief that the future of South African rugby must be inclusive, accessible, and representative of the communities we serve.

“By supporting provincial women’s rugby, we are helping to build sustainable development pathways, unlock potential, and inspire the next generation of female players across the country.”

The Isuzu Bulls Daisies are the undisputed champions of the local provincial scene, having won the title three times in a row, including in 2025, a season that yielded 289 tries in 29 matches played all across the country.

Expect more in 2026, where a number of big stadium experiences will add to the growing status of the game and the competition itself, with the stars of the local game all in action over the next seven weeks.

The Daisies will play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, while the Sanlam Boland Dames (Boland Park, Wellington), EP Queens (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha) and Free State Women (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein) all opted for their provincial headquarters as the home base for their teams. The Sharks Women will also make a couple of appearances at Hollywoodbets King's Park in Durban.

The Isuzu Bulls Daisies, who won the title in 2023, 2024 and 2025, travel to East London’s Police Park for their opening match against the Border Ladies, while the Golden Lions Women host the EP Queens at Alberton Rugby Club, with fans from out of town able to watch this season opener on SuperSport’s streaming platform.

DHL Western Province will host the Sharks Women at City Park in Cape Town, while the Sanlam Boland Dames will be boosted by free entrance at their Boland Stadium headquarters for their 15h00 kick-off against the visiting Free State Women.

There will be some nerves among the coaches, where a couple of former players will be seen along the touchlines, including former Springbok flyer Jongi Nokwe, who has been appointed head coach of DHL WP.

Nokwe, who coached the inaugural SA U18 Girls team late last year, named nine Springbok Women in his match day squad, including Sinazo Mcatshulwa, who played in France last season.

Former Springbok Women’s Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers will be among the Boland assistant coaches, while head coach Thomas Chowles’ squad has also been boosted by the addition of Eloise Webb, who joined from Border.

Timmy Goodwin will also be able to call on some international experience in his Golden Lions Women squad as Catha Jacobs, the former Saracens and Leicester Tigers Women player was revealed as the Joburgers’ latest signing last week, as well as Kirsten Eastes, who has played for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.

Head coaches:

Border Ladies: Bongani Nogilana

EP Queens: Deon Jordaan

Free State Women: Aschin Klein

DHL Western Province: Jongi Nokwe

Golden Lions Women: Timmy Goodwin

Sanlam Boland Dames: Thomas Chowles

Isuzu Bulls Daisies: Bongiwe Nhleko

Sharks Women: Jason Hector

Match information:

Golden Lions Women v EP Queens

Venue: Alberton Rugby Club, Alberton