The usual suspects were at it again at the start of the 2024 edition of the SA Rugby Women's First Division tournament on Saturday with last year's finalist, SWD Eagirls, starting with an impressive victory away from home. The Southern Cape side won 41-24 against Valke Women in Kempton Park.
The Leopards, finalists in 2022, were also victorious on the road when they gained a valuable 27-22 win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women in Polokwane. There were also broad smiles in Kimberley, where Griquas Women outplayed their Pumas counterparts to the tune of 27-14.
The Leopards Women are top of the log after a very good win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women. The Limpopo side has been a tough nut to crack at home and the Leopards will be very pleased with a full house of points. Verana van Heerden also celebrated her return to the Potch side with a try, conversion and penalty, while speedy Jibrine Dube bagged three for the home side.
There were 11 tries on offer for the Barnard Stadium patrons in Kempton Park, but sadly only four of those belonged to the home side. The Eagirls proved just too slick for the Valke Women, who refused to lay down and came back strongly in the second half but the 26-5 lead by SWD proved a bridge too far for a comeback win.
Meanwhile, Griquas opened their account with a good all-round win over Pumas Women in Kimberley. The home side had a good outing, with some nice interplay between backs and forwards and never looked like losing. They outscored Pumas five tries to two in a good reflection of their dominance on the day.
Scorers:
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 22 (5), Leopards Women 27 (12).
Limpopo - Tries: Jibrine Dube, Penalty try.
Leopards - Tries: Suane Buys, Mpho Tsima, Verana van Heerden, Penalty try.
Conversion: Van Heerden. Penalty goal: Van Heerden.
Valke Women 24 (5), SWD Eagirls 41 (26)
Valke - Tries: Matshediso Bojosi, Loré Gabri (Lolla) van der Merwe, Sibonelo Letsela, Awethu Stonga. Conversions: Londeka Ntanzi, Noluthando Nkosi.
SWD - Prelene Pegram (2), Euphinia Fillis (2), Mia-lee Matiwane, Chante Jonck, Antoneica Hannies. Conversions: Hannies (3).
Griquas Women 27 (17), Pumas Women 14 (7).
Griquas - Tries: Maxine Engelbrecht, Mekayla Bennette, Lauren Januarie, Winandre Onke, Chamelle Visagie. Conversion: Juanine Jacobs.
Pumas - Tries: Silindile Nyembe, Chantelle Mtsweni. Conversions: Nyembe (2).