Rugby IPT Round 2 Raises Tempo a Notch

The tempo of the Women’s Interprovincial series will rise a notch on Saturday as some teams look to build on their impressive form two weeks ago while other sides attempt to start their campaigns on a high.

A number of teams, including Border, EP, WP and the Blue Bulls, however will have their depth tested as the senior national players will not be available for selection in the build-up to next month’s senior IRB Nations Cup in the USA.

Defending champions Western Province will meet the Blue Bulls in a repeat of last year’s final at Loftus Versfeld in one of the main matches on Saturday, with the other eagerly anticipated clash being between EP and Border at the Zwide Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

In Pretoria, the Blue Bulls will be determined to bounce back from their shock defeat against Border in the opening round. But they will have to improve their lineouts, breakdown play and scrums, in particular, to achieve this after struggling in those departments in their opening game.

Western Province, meanwhile, will be forced to hit the ground running despite the absence of a handful of star players to start their campaign on a high, as the Bulls will rely on their match fitness to make their presence felt.

The clash in Port Elizabeth should be equally thrilling as EP and Border come off morale-boosting victories and will enter the clash high on confidence. The forward battle, in particular, is expected to be decisive as both teams pride themselves on their solid set pieces.

KwaZulu-Natal, meanwhile, will enter their clash against the Griffons as favourites following their impressive form against the Golden Lions, which earned them an emphatic 83-3 victory. Given the Durban team’s ability to create try-scoring chances and round them off, the Griffons will be under pressure to tighten up their defence to avoid another heavy defeat.

In the other ‘A Division’ clash Free State host the Boland in Bloemfontein, while the Pumas take on Griquas in Nelspruit and the Leopards meet the Valke in Potchefstroom the ‘B Division’.

(With editing by gsport)