Competition reaching critical stage for title hopefuls

The fifth round of the SA Rugby Women's First Division will be critical to the hopes of at least two contenders aiming to play in the final in three weeks' time.

In the north section, matches will conclude on Saturday when the Leopards travel to Secunda to take on the Pumas. The North West side started strongly with two big wins and will just need one log point from this fixture to pip the Valke and finish top.

The Valke finished their fixtures and secured 10 log points in three matches, with the Leopards, also on 10 points, looking for a win in Secunda to confirm them as the top side in this section and book their place in the final.

The south section is more difficult to call, but it looks like a showdown between SWD and Free State next weekend.

This weekend however, the Free State side needs to overcome their western neighbours, Griquas, to stay top of the log, while SWD have the tricky trip to Welkom to play the Griffons. Both visiting teams are expected to win, with the showdown between them next weekend likely to determine the winner of the section.

Last weekend, the Valke finished their campaign with a solid win over Limpopo Blue Bulls in Polokwane, with the East Rand side scoring six tries, with four of those coming from centre Ulender Khumalo. The Limpopo Blue Bulls also finished their matches and could become wooden spoonists should Pumas score a big win over the Leopards.

In the south section, Griquas scored a first win of the tournament over the Griffons, beating the home side 50-14, with Miceale Regue scoring four tries.

Round four scoring summaries:

Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (15), Valke 36 (17)
Limpopo - Tries: Mahlatse Lekola, Tshepiso Lesudi, Valentine Manyosa.
Valke - Tries: Aamina Mustafa, Ulender Khumalo (4), Sinelitha Noxeke. Conversions: Silindile Mabaso, Khumalo, Sarah Mokwebo.

Griffons 14 (7), Griquas 50 (24)
Griffons - Tries: Jeanett Mohalali (2). Conversions: Pinkie Touto (2).
Griquas - Tries: Nalinsa Potgieter, Simone Cloete, Miceala Regue (4), Vuyelwa Mosala, Lana Hendricks. Conversions: Juanine Jacobs, Regue, Mosala (3).

Fixtures for Saturday 16 July:

Griquas v Free State
Venue: Windhoek Draught Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 11h00
Referee: Maria Mabote

Pumas v Leopards
Venue: Embalenhle Rugby Club, Secunda
Kick-off: 13h30
Referee: Giana Viljoen

Griffons v SWD
Venue: HT Pelatona Stadium, Welkom
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Zoe Naude

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