CAPE TOWN – The two top sides in the Women’s Premier Division will clash in Pretoria in a repeat of last year’s final, while matches in Durban, East London and Uitenhage could have crucial consequences for the remaining semi-final contenders.
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.
Match information:
Bulls Daisies vs DHL Western Province
Date: Friday, 19 July 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14h30
Referee: Stiaan Marx
Sharks Women v Free State Women
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
EP Queens v Sanlam Boland Dames
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Central Fields, Uitenhage
Kick-off: 12h30
Referee: Siya Mhana
Border Ladies v Golden Lions
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2024
Venue: Baysville High School, East London
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: Aneka Fick
Image: @WomenBoks/ Twitter.
