Home ground advantage could be crucial for the four hosting teams when the sixth round of the Women’s First Division takes place on Saturday.
Griquas Women, Griffons Women and Pumas Women will be keen to use familiar surroundings to secure wins and move up the standings in the competition, while the Free State Women look set to consolidate their stronghold even further.
Griquas Women are hosting the defending champions, the SWD Eagirls, at Windhoek Draught Park in Kimberley and will be hoping that the travel to the Northern Cape and the hard playing surface will aid them to secure only a second win this year.
The home side have been steadily improving, but even the logistical disadvantages should not stop the team from the Southern Cape, who have won four out of their five matches. They have scored almost at will this season, and their 48 tries are only topped by Free State, while Shannon-Lee Windvogel has scored 15 tries already this season.
The Free Staters look unstoppable this year, and the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women could find the trip back to Polokwane a long one. The women from Bloemfontein are undefeated at the Toyota Stadium and have only conceded 34 points in their five matches to date.
The improving Limpopo side occupy third place on the log, having won three out of five. They will give a good account of themselves, but the home team just look too strong for their visitors.
The Griffons Women are the only team yet to register a win this year and although the Leopards are on a good run, their short trip to Welkom will not be a comfortable one. The Northern Free Staters have been leaking tries this season and although the team from North West are not a free scoring side, they will back their attack to improve their try tally.
Pumas Women are back at Steelcrest High School in Middelburg and although the trip down the N4 is just an hour long for the Valke Women, they will be very aware that another defeat could finish their play-off ambitions. They have won only twice, but a third win will keep them in contact with the Leopards and Limpopo.
Match information:
Griquas Women vs SWD Eagirls
Venue: Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
Date: Saturday 15 July
Kick-off: 11h00
Referee: Bulela Qwane
Free State Women vs Limpopo Blue Bulls Women
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday 15 July
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
Griffons Women vs Leopards Women
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Date: Saturday 15 July
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Zoe Naude
Pumas Women vs Valke Women
Venue: Steelcrest High School, Middelburg
Date: Saturday 15 July
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Sinespho Foloti