The only two undefeated sides in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1, the Isuzu Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, collide in a fourth-round match that is most likely going to determine hosting rights for the final, which is less than a month away, on 4 April.
Last year’s two finalists meet at the Rosina Paarwater Stadium in Bellville for this crucial fixture, while in Gqeberha, the EP Queens host Sanlam Boland Dames in yet another significant match. Both sides have won two of their first three games and defeat to either could spell the end of their title aspirations, as there is no semi-final round in this single round competition.
Elsewhere, the Golden Lions Women host the Border Ladies in Alberton, and Free State Women welcome their Sharks counterparts to Bloemfontein.
The Lions won big last weekend, but will underestimate the winless Border side at their own peril. The Eastern Cape team got into their stride slowly this season, and although they are improving every week, the momentum and altitude are with the Gauteng side.
Free State also faces a Sharks team that will be desperate for a first win. The visitors have enough experience in their ranks to take it all the way in Bloemfontein, but as the hosts showed against the Queens two weeks ago, they are not an easy side to face at home.
The inclusion of the elusive Anelca Hess at outside centre could prove a masterstroke by Free State coach Aschin Klein. Hess, who played at fullback for the Sanlam Boland Dames last year, is a great threat to any defence, and the Durbanites will have to keep their eyes on her.
The EP Queens won their matches against the Golden Lions and Sharks with good attacking rugby. They have a good blend of power in the pack and strike runners in the backs to make any trip to Gqeberha an uncomfortable visit.
The Dames should have the answers, though, as they also have some game breakers of their own. The threats posed by Springbok No 8 Aseza Hele are well-known, and the Queens would have noticed the massive strike power of Tereske Kabuika out wide.
The Bellville clash will be fierce. Such is the current dominance of these two teams thus far that all six top try scorers in the competition are from their ranks.
DHL WP wing Voice Ndou leads the charge with six tries, with Logan Welman (WP), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Daisies) and Vainah Ubisi (Daisies) contributing four tries so far, while Sizo Solontsi (Daisies) dotted down three times.
To add to Daisies’ punch, Chumisa Qawe returns to the midfield where she pairs up with Jakkie Cilliers, the leading points’ scorer after three rounds, while up front, Fiona Cooper will start at lock after making her debut off the bench last week.
The tight phases will be fiercely contested with the expected scrum battle between two Springbok props, Daisies loosehead Sanelisiwe Charlie and WP tighthead Babalwa Latsha, is worth the trip to Bellville alone.
WP have five Springbok Women in their pack and can certainly match the visitors, while at the back, the threat of Ndou is certainly one that will keep the Daisies' defence alert and honest.
Match information:
Golden Lions Women v Border Ladies
Venue: Alberton Rugby Club, Alberton
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Chante Olivier
Live Stream: YouTube
Free State Women v Sharks Women
Venue: CUT Fields, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Yohane Tredoux
Eastern Province Queens v Sanlam Boland Dames
Venue: Otto du Plessis High School, Gqeberha
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Luvuyo Maceba
DHL Western Province v Isuzu Bulls Daisies
Venue: Rosina Paarwater Stadium, Bellville
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Siyanda Pikoli
TV: SuperSport channel 247