All eyes will be on Bloemfontein on Saturday when the Free State Women take on the defending champions, the SWD Eagirls, in the Women’s First Division final at the Toyota Stadium.
The home side have won the title twice in their history (2015 and 2016) and the SWD are defending the title they won in 2022 (they were also crowned champions in 2017), so both sides will be aware of the significance of his clash.
The form book tilts heavily towards the Free State side to dethrone the Eagirls, who are playing the final away from home, just like last year. In 2022, the Leopards also entered the final as favourites in Potchefstroom but came away empty-handed after a stirring display by the visitors from SWD.
It should be a close affair, despite the dominance of the home side in the tournament thus far. They won their league encounter with SWD two months ago – played in Bloemfontein – by 40-0 after leading 12-0 at the break, but the Eagirls had several players attending a national sevens camp that weekend.
They are all back for this clash and especially Antonecia Hannies is expecting to have a huge impact in the backs in this match, while SWD will also have a plan to combat the power running of Bernice Strydom, who dominated her opponents this year.
Free State coaches Anton Smit and Darren Colby have done wonders to mould the Free State Women into an unstoppable unit this season and the ultimate reward could just bring another trophy to the City of Roses, but don’t tell Eagirls coaches Elize Arendse and assistant Sammy Oktober that, as they have no plans to re-arrange the SWD trophy cabinet.
Women’s First Division Final – Free State Women v SWD Eagirls
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday, 5 August
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
Kick-off: 13h00
Livestream: SuperSport Schools App