Three highly competitive matches await spectators in George, Welkom and Polokwane on Saturday when the second round of the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 commences.
In George, either the SWD Eagirls or the visiting Leopards will lose their undefeated status, while in Polokwane, the return of several students from the USSA tournament will boost the Limpopo Blue Bulls in their match against the Valke, with both sides looking for a first win.
The Griffons will play their first match after a bye in round one, and what a tough opener it will be for the Welkom side, as they await defending champions, the Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women. AVBOB Griquas Women have a bye.
The George battle will be a fierce one as both teams have traditionally been either finalists or semi-finalists since the inception of the tournament. The Leopards scored a big win over Limpopo last week and and top of that, also have their student players back, so they will travel down to the Garden Route with good confidence.
The Eagirls did not have the best of second halves in their win over the Valke last weekend, but playing at home is always a massive boost and given their record at Outeniqua Park, they will be tough to beat.
The Griffons will open their campaign knowing that the defending champions came out flying in the opening round when they outplayed Griquas with ease.
Expect Griffons captain and flanker Tshepiso Matelile (pictured above) to lead from the front as usual. The 28-year-old has been a stalwart for the home side over the last couple of seasons, and alongside the coaching staff of head coach Shamila Louw and assistant coaches Tertius Maarman and Norman Nelson, they will be well aware of the dangers the visitors will bring to Welkom.
The first task at hand will be to stop the Pumas’ dangerous outside backs, Jibrine Dube and Megan Guambe, who showed that they have lost none of their strike power from last season.
Pumas coach Sibusiso Ngomane certainly knows how to get his team to play to their strengths, and if he gets it right again, it could result in a second win on the road.
The Limpopo Blue Bulls need a win this weekend as a second home defeat will not help their title ambitions at all. The boost of having their student players available, like the Leopards, will be huge, and the Valke will be wary of the home side’s pace and power.
Valke coach Catherine Lowane will no doubt point to their strong second half against Eagirls last weekend, where they outplayed them 12-10 and use that momentum as motivation.
Match information:
SWD Eagirls v Leopards Women
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Date: Saturday 11 July
Kick-off: 12h30
Referee: Pat Meyer
Limpopo Blue Bulls v Valke Women
Venue: University of Limpopo, Polokwane
Date: Saturday 11 July
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Guavanne Riley
Griffons Women vs Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women
Venue: Down Touch Investment Stadium, Welkom
Date: Saturday 11 July
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Cyle Theys