Women's Premier Division heats up at halfway mark
PREVIEW ROUND FOUR: With the Bulls Daisies seemingly unstoppable on their way to the 2025 Women’s Premier Division Final.
The fourth round – which marks the halfway stage of the competition – will deliver some telling results for the rest of the contenders when they clash in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
The Boland Dames, second on the standings with 11 log points, travel to East London, where the Border Ladies, in fifth spot with nine points, await them in a match that could determine their fortunes for rest of the season, while the Sharks Ladies, buoyant after two solid wins, arrive in Pretoria with 10 log points and third place for the biggest challenge of their season, to beat the Daisies at Loftus Versfeld.
Elsewhere, Western Province, also on 10 log points and in fourth spot, will be mindful that a defeat could spell the end of their title hunt when they take on the Golden Lions Women at Ellis Park, with the home side desperate for a first win of the season.
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The Free State Women, who scored their first win last weekend in a dramatic late try against the Lions, are improving all the time and can be regarded as favourites to grab their second victory of the season in Gqeberha, where the winless EP Queens seem desperately short of confidence.
The Bloemfonteiners have some serious strike power in the backs and supporters in attendance should be rewarded with great attacking rugby.
The Ladies have their inspirational captain and inside centre, Aphiwe Ngwevu, back and that will not only boost their confidence, but also their chances to claim another win.
Ngwevu is very influential, especially when playmaker Eloise Webb is her midfield partner and she can exploit the havoc her captain creates for opposing defences.
The Dames will still be hurting from their defeat to the Daisies last week but they have the depth and talent to bounce back. It will be their first away match of the season, and they will be without the heat advantage Wellington gave them in the opening three weeks.
The Daisies are still without Lusanda Dumke, while the Qawe twins, Chumisa and Chuma, are also unavailable due to a family bereavement, but they should still have enough depth to handle the Sharks’ attack, with no less than 11 current Springbok Women in their starting team.
The Tayla Kinsey-led visitors from KZN have a good kicking game which will work well on the Highveld, but if they have enough defensive armour to stop the Daisies’ attack remains to be seen.
WP blew hot and cold so far this season but they have named a very strong side for their trip to Ellis Park. Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi, her lock partner Nomsa Mokwai and Roseline Botes are all World Cup contenders in their pack, while their bench is laden with exciting young players.
The Lions also had their moments so far and the way their bench responds when called upon will be crucial if they want to stop the visitors from Cape Town.
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Round Four fixtures:
Saturday, February 15
Bulls Daisies vs Sharks Women
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 12.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Siya Mhana
EP Queens vs Cheetahs Queens
Venue: Cilliè High School, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: Richard Bruno
Border Ladies vs Boland Dames
Venue: Baysville High School, East London
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: Blessings Sibande
Golden Lions Women vs Western Province
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Stiaan Marx
