DHL Western Province will take on the Border Ladies in the Women’s Premier Division final on Friday, while Free State will meet the MasterCard Golden Lions Women in the First Division final after the latter teams booked their places in the closing round of pool matches this weekend.
In the only Premier Division match of the weekend, the Blue Bulls Women held their nerve in a tight bottom-of-the-table clash against the Cell C Sharks Women for a 12-5 victory to finish their season on a high note.
Free State, meanwhile, delivered an impressive attacking display against Griquas for a 41-10 win in Bloemfontein and defending champions, the Mastercard Golden Lions Women, defeated the Valke 27-0 in Johannesburg.
Women’s Premier Division
Blue Bulls Women finish season on a high note
The clash between the Cell Sharks Women and Blue Bulls Women in Durban was tight from the outset as both teams tried to make their presence felt on attack and defence.
With both teams’ defence holding strong, the visitors entered the break with a slender 7-5 halftime lead after being awarded a penalty try, while the KwaZulu-Natalians managed to score once compliments of Mbali Bukhosini (centre).
The women from Pretoria added a try in the second half by flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, while they shut out the hosts completely on defence for a 12-5 victory.
Scorers:
Blue Bulls Women 12 (7) – Tries: Libbie Janse Van Rensburg, Penalty try.
Cell C Sharks Women 5 (5) – Try: Mbali Bukhosini.
Women’s First Division
Free State outplay Griquas for final berth
Five players crossed the try-line for the Free State as they defeated Griquas 41-10 in Bloemfontein to maintain their top spot on the log in their group and book a place in the First Division final.
Free State flyhalf Shandre Fouche scored twice for her team, while Thotwane Ntlhafu (centre) kept the scoreboard ticking with four conversions and a penalty goal to contribute 11 points to their score.
Scorers:
Free State 41 – Tries: Welmarie Wessels, Chante Somers, Kamohelo Makoele, Bonolo Tladi, Shandre Fouche (2), Conversions: Thotwane Ntlhafu (4). Penalty: Ntlhafu.
Griquas 10 – Tries: Jane Beukes, Nana Mayongo.
Mastercard Golden Lions Women overpower Valke
Mastercard Golden Lions Women flyhalf Nontuthuko Shongwe scored a brace as her team overpowered the Valke 27-0 in Johannesburg, scoring five tries to none to advance to the final and have a shot at defending their title.
The Lions crossed the try-line twice in a closely fought first half, but they broke away in the second half, scoring three more tries to take their tally to five.
They backed up this attacking performance with a solid defensive display, denying the visitors a single point in the match.
Mastercard Golden Lions Women 27 (10) – Tries: Winnie Masokoane, Nontuthuko Shongwe (2), Masingita Simango, Piwokuhle Nyanda.