Big clashes lined up in Women’s Interprovincials
The tempo of the SARU Women’s Interprovincial competition is set to rise on Saturday as the teams take to the field in the second round of games, which features a few big match-ups.
In the A Section Eastern Province and the Blue Bulls will meet in a repeat of last year’s semifinal at the NMMU Missionvale campus in Port Elizabeth, while SWD host Western Province at Outeniqua Park in George and KwaZulu-Natal go up against defending champions Border in Durban.
In the B Section, Free State, the Leopards and Boland will begin their campaigns after having byes in the opening round two weeks ago. Free State will meet Griquas in Bloemfontein, the Pumas meet the Leopards in White River and Boland will go up against the Griffons in Wellington.
In the other match and the Limpopo Blue Bulls will line up against the Valke at the University of Limpopo.
The clash between Eastern Province and the Blue Bulls is expected to be thrilling, with the hosts in particular looking to avenge their defeat last year, which came at the price of a final berth. They will also be hunting their first victory of the season after going down against Western Province in Cape Town in their season-opening match. The Blue Bulls, however, will enter the match with confidence following their victory against KwaZulu-Natal. While both teams scored 20 points in the first round, Eastern Province’s defence let them down as they conceded 34 points, which is an area will be determined to improve this weekend.
In George SWD will also want to make up for their heavy 81-7 defeat against Border in their opening match, but they will have to work hard for a victory as Western Province boasts a strong pack with exciting backs, who will want to stamp their authority. While SWD’s defence, in particular, will have to be much better to keep alive hopes of a victory this week, they also need to step up their efforts on attack to apply pressure on the Cape side.
KwaZulu-Natal, meanwhile, will be bracing themselves for an onslaught from Border after their remarkable performance against SWD, but fortunately they will have a good idea of what to expect from the East London team when they take to the field. Such has been the high quality of Border’s play in the competition, they progressed through last year’s tournament unbeaten, while they suffered only one defeat the previous season. With their attack and defence on song, they will be determined to continue this fine form. KwaZulu-Natal, in particular, will have to deliver a solid performance all-round to stop Border, but their home ground advantage could offer them the perfect motivation to create an upset.
In the B Section, the Valke will enter their clash as favourites after their impressive start to the tournament against the Pumas in which they registered a 41-15 victory, while the Limpopo Blue Bulls, Pumas and Griffons will look to deliver solid performances after suffering defeats in the opening round.
SARU Women’s Interprovincial round two fixtures:
Section A:
SWD vs Western Province
Venue: Outeniqua Park, George
Kick-off: 14h00
Eastern Province vs Blue Bulls
Venue: NMMU Missionvale campus
Kick-off: 15h00
KwaZulu-Natal vs Border
Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park B Field, Durban
Kick-off:
Section B:
Boland vs Griffons
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 14h00
Free State vs Griquas:
Venue: Clive Solomon Stadium, Heidedal, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14h00
Pumas vs Leopards:
Venue: White River Rugby Club, White River
Kick-off: 14h00
Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Valke
Venue: University of Limpopo
Kick-off: 15h00
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