Three teams fight for survival in WSL 1

PREVIEW: The Bulls Daisies look on course for another clean sweep in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League as round five kicks off at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with the Pretoria side also in line to host the final on April 4.

Who they will face on that day remains a teasing question, though, as for now, Boland Dames and Western Province are best placed, but for the Free State Women, Golden Lions Women, and the EP Queens, defeat on the weekend will be the end of any hopes of reaching the final, remote as they are already.

The EP Queens arrive in Pretoria knowing that they can create history, but knowledge and application are two different things. They have a settled side with some nifty attackers in the back, and the kicking prowess of Siphenathi Yeko will be complemented by altitude, but this one will be about defence.

The two teams above the Queens on the log already faced the Daisies and conceded 48 and 50 points, so the visitors from Gqeberha will be up against it.

The Daisies made some tweaks to their team, with the injured Libbie Janse van Rensburg replaced by Yandisa Nobanda. The coaching staff is keeping their squad fresh and ready, naming six capped Test players in the pack with Anathi Qolo moving back to lock, while two Springbok Women are amongst the starting backs, including points machine, Jakkie Cilliers.

They also have five Bok Women on the bench, so expect a “Bomb Squad” introduction to the game. Prop Aviwe Hlongwana is on a potential debut off the bench.

A fully fit Eloise Webb will boost Sanlam Boland Dames in their tricky fixture against the Golden Lions Women in Alberton. Webb came back from injury via the bench last week, scoring a try in the process, and she will be looking forward to playing at altitude, where her kicking game will be highlighted.

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Trust the Boland to attack from all angles, though, as their dangerous backs are full of running, with winger Tereske Kabuika in magnificent form, bagging six tries in four matches.

The Lions’ recent successes came from an improved effort from their forwards and from looking after their possession better. The pack is a menace once they start mauling, and their pick-and-go game is excellent. On the front foot, scrumhalf Rumandi Potgieter’s tactical knowledge is invaluable.

It is the last roll of the dice for the Free State Women to stay relevant in the tournament when they face Western Province at Jim Fouche High School in Bloemfontein. Another defeat and their race is run; it is as simple as that.

With that in mind, some changes from last week include Anelca Hess at flyhalf and Bernice Strydom returning to the pack, with Aisha Camara slotting in at inside centre.

Hess is all attack, and with the versatile Strydom in the loose forward,s where she can play a linking game, the tactics of the home side are straightforward.

But to outscore Western Province is easier said than done. The Capetonians’ ability to score from anywhere on the field is peerless in this competition, but Jongi Nokwe had to make some crucial changes with flyhalves Elme Kruger and Anja le Roux out.

The decision to move Donelle Snyders from fullback to flyhalf, Voice Ndou to outside centre, and Doney Fillies to fullback is significant, but the real news is the introduction of Abigail Smit at lock, with Sinazo Mcatshulwa moving to flanker.

Smit, who played for the Bloemfontein side in 2024 and can expect a warm welcome, was a stand-out for the WP U20s in the provincial tournament a couple of months ago, and her progress will be followed with interest by all concerned.

There is a coastal derby as well, and this should be as entertaining as the rest, although both the Sharks Women and Border Ladies are out of the title race already.

The Sharks Women received a boost of confidence in Bloemfontein last week with their first win, and upon arriving back in Durban, got more good news with the confirmation that experienced Springbok Women’s players Tayla Kinsey and Lindelwa Gwala have been passed fit to play. Both will start on the bench.

Home ground advantage should tell in this match. The Ladies would not have expected to be winless at the halfway stage, and they had their moments, but were just too dependent on Aphiwe Ngwevu to play their all-round game, with match fitness another issue.

But any team that writes off this Border side does so at its peril, and the Sharks Women will know that.

Bulls Daisies v Eastern Province Queens
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria; Kick-off: 11.00)

Referee: Yohane Tredoux

Sharks Women v Border Ladies
(Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban; Kick-off: 12.00)

Referee: Siyanda Pikoli

Golden Lions Women v Boland Dames
(Alberton Rugby Club, Alberton; Kick-off: 13.00)

Referee: Chante Olivier

Free State Women v Western Province
(Jim Fouche High School, Bloemfontein; Kick-off: 15.00)

Referee: Giana Viljoen