Border and SWD to kick off Women’s Interprovincial series

Apr 24 • General News • 1783 Views • Comments Off on Border and SWD to kick off Women’s Interprovincial series

Defending Women’s Interprovincial champions, Border, will kick off the SARU Women’s Interprovincial competition on Friday against SWD at Outeniqua Park in George in what is expected to be an exciting start to the tournament.

This year’s Women’s Interprovincial series will have much more significance for the players than simply vying for the title, as they will be determined to use this opportunity to impress national coach Lawrence Sephaka ahead of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in France from August 1 to 17.

A 39-member preliminary World Cup squad was named earlier this year, but this group is set to be trimmed at the conclusion of the interprovincial competition, which is expected to motivate the players significantly to make their presence felt.

The other players, meanwhile, will be equally driven to make a statement in the hope that a strong showing could attract the attention of Sephaka before he finalises his World Cup squad.

Border will begin the series with an away game against SWD in a curtain raiser to the men’s Vodacom Cup clash against Western Province, and since the team is loaded with national players, they will enter the match as favourites.

In Saturday’s games KwaZulu-Natal host the Blue Bulls in Durban and Eastern Province take on Western Province in Uitenhage.

In George, Springbok Women’s captain Mandisa Williams, Asithandile Ntoyanto and Nolusindiso Booi are be among nine Springbok Women’s players included in the preliminary World Cup squad who will run out against SWD. Five of the nine players were included in the pack, meaning Border’s forwards will be a key weapon as they look to start the season on a high.

SWD, however, are renowned for their skill and speed out wide, and with talented Springbok Women’s fullback Christal Williams serving as a threat at the back, they are expected to put up a good fight.

The clash between KwaZulu-Natal and the Blue Bulls should be equally exciting, as both teams boast solid packs and exciting backs. Young Springbok Women’s fullback Tayla Kinsey will have her work cut out as the last line of defence, especially with the Blue Bulls’ line-up featuring physical and fast backs Shona-Leah Weston and Marlien Cronje.

Interestingly the Sharks won all four of their round-robin matches last year to advance to the semifinal, and they will be looking to repeat that feat this season. But the Blue Bulls will be equally determined to perform well after failing to advance to the playoff stages last year.

Western Province, meanwhile, will be looking to kick on from an impressive season last year in which they advanced to the final, and with their squad boasting the likes of Springbok prop Laurian Johannes, lock Andrea Mentoor and hooker Denita Wentzel their pack will also be a threat.

They will, however, line up against an unwavering Eastern Province outfit, which will be desperate to make the most of their home ground advantage to start the season with a victory following only two victories in four matches last season.

SARU Women’s Interprovincial round-one fixtures:

Friday, April 25

17h00 – SWD vs Border – Outeniqua Park, George

Saturday, April 26

14h30 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Blue Bulls – Kings Park B Field, Durban

15h30 – Eastern Province vs Western Province – Central Grounds, Uitenhage

Photo: Pierre McLoed