The two top sides in the Women’s Premier Division will clash in Pretoria in a repeat of last year’s final to kick off the weekend’s domestic rugby fixtures, while matches in Durban, East London and Uitenhage could have crucial consequences for the remaining semi-final contenders, on Friday, 19 July, 2024.
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.
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 regard 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.
Round Thirteen Fixture at the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division on Friday, 19 July 2024
14h30 Bulls Daisies vs DHL Western Province (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Referee: Stiaan Marx
TV: SS Variety 2
Round Thirteen Premier Division Fixtures on Saturday, 20 July 2024
12h00 Sharks Women v Free State Women (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
13h30 EP Queens v Sanlam Boland Dames (Central Fields, Uitenhage)
Referee: Siya Mhana
13h30 Border Ladies v Golden Lions (Baysville High School, East London)
Referee: Aneka Fick
Round Five Fixtures at the SA Rugby Women’s First Division on Saturday, 20 July, 2024
12h00 Leopards Women v Griffons Women (Olën Park, Potchefstroom)
Referee: Yohane Halgryn
13h30 SWD Eagirls v Griquas Women (Bridgton Sportsground, Oudtshoorn)
Referee: John McDuling
14h00 Pumas Women v Valke Women (White River Rugby Club, White River)
Referee: Blessings Sibande
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: Visitors Western Province will be wary of Bulls Daisies’ Jakkie Cilliers, The visitors will be acutely aware of the sharp shooting abilities of Jakkie Cilliers, who has already scored a new competition record of 137 points this season. The two top sides in the SA rugby will clash in Pretoria on Friday afternoon in a repeat of last year’s final to kick off the weekend’s domestic fixtures where Durban, East London and Uitenhage matches could decide semi-final contenders. Photo: SA Rugby
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