Top four sides collide in Women’s Premier Division

The top four sides in the Women’s Premier Division will clash on Saturday in what may just turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the semi-finals, which are a few weeks away.

The top-ranked Bulls Daisies travel to Wellington to take on the Sanlam Boland Dames, currently in third spot, while second-placed DHL Western Province host fourth-placed Border Ladies at their City Park fortress.

The Sharks Women (fifth), the only other team with realistic play-off credentials, will await the EP Queens in Durban, while the Free State Women welcome the travelling Golden Lions Women.

Both Western Cape sides would have seen their weekly preparation hampered by the adverse weather conditions but the other side of the coin will be that the expected heavy underfoot conditions could work in their favour.

The Boland forwards are one of the best geared for close range combat but they are up against a team that only lost once in two years, so the Wellington clash could be a real arm wrestle. The ball carrying ability of Springbok Women No 8 Aseza Hele for Boland will be vital if they want to topple the champions.

The Daisies are an all-round team and might be better suited in the kicking department. The Qawe twins, Chumisa (Daisies) and Chuma (Dames) will also line up against each other for the first time in a while.

Another set of sisters will play for DHL WP, with Bronishia Hess elevated to the starting pack at No 8 and older sibling Shaunique the regular starting outside centre.

The Capetonians tweaked their side from last week, with the unpredictable Donelle Snyders coming into the fray at fullback. Snyders played for both the Springbok Women and Springbok Women's Sevens sides already and will be a handful.

Border have their own midfield wizards in Aphiwe Ngwevu and Asi Plaatjies and travel to Cape Town with the knowledge that they have beaten their opponents earlier in the season. The kicking prowess from Eloise Webb at fullback will be factor. Like Snyders, she is a dual international and has played at Rugby World Cups in both formats, which could just be what Border need for this one.

The Sharks know that only a bonus point win will keep their aspirations alive, so it could be an entertaining morning at Riverside Sports Complex in Durban North, where the KwaZulu-Natalians’ international halfback pairing are key to their fortunes.

The Queens, fresh off their first win of the season last weekend, will be keen to continue with that positive momentum, but their defence will be tested against the home side.

The Bloemfontein clash will be about bragging rights. The Free State side won 31-12 in their responding clash at Emirates Airline Park last time around but they have since lost their swagger.

On the other hand, the Gautengers are well aware of this and could pounce on the lack of confidence the Bloemfonteiners showed in recent outings. They are without Bok prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo though and that will impact their scrums.

Fixtures

Sharks Women v EP Queens - Saturday @ Riverside Sports Complex, Varsity College, Durban North (10am)

Referee: Caleb Hibbers

Free State Women v Golden Lions - Saturday @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (11am)

Referee: Scott Olivier

Sanlam Boland Dames v Bulls Daisies - Saturday @ Boland Stadium, Wellington (2pm)

Referee: Siyanda Pikoli

DHL Western Province v Border Ladies - Saturday @ City Park, Cape Town (2pm)

Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout

Meanwhile, expect more movement on the Women’s First Division log this Saturday with games in Potchefstroom, Polokwane and Emalahleni all vitally important for the home sides.

The Valke Women, who were on top of the standings two weeks ago, have a bye this weekend and could be overhauled by four other contenders into second place.

Log leaders, the SWD Eagirls, are expected to beat the Pumas at the alma mater of RWC-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, Patriot High School, to extend their lead at the top but will be aware of the two wins already secured by the team from Mpumalanga.

Leopards Women and Griquas Women both have 10 log points, so a bonus point win will elevate them to second spot, or even the top of the pile, depending on results elsewhere.

In Polokwane, an unlucky venue for the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women this far, the winless Griffons Women will chase a first victory. The Limpopo side lost both home games so far, but their backs will pose a massive threat to the Welkom team, who was slow out of the blocks in the tournament.

Fixtures

Leopards Women v Griquas Women - Saturday @ Olen Park, Potchefstroom (12pm)

Referee: Martie Mostert

Limpopo Women v Griffons Women - Saturday @ University of Limpopo, Polokwane (12pm)

Referee: Excellent Mnkomo

Pumas Women v SWD Eagirls - Saturday @ Patriot High School, Emalahleni (1pm)

Referee: Nalezeri Pretorius