DHL Western Province Women will take on Sanlam Boland Dames in a SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division home semifinal at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

The Cape derby will kick-off at 14h00 on Saturday, with gates at DHL Stadium opening at 13h00.

The same four teams that contested the semifinals in 2023 will be back at it this weekend. The Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province again finished top of the log, but will swop opponents this time around, with the Daisies welcoming Border Ladies in Pretoria and the Capetonians hosting neighbours Sanlam Boland Dames at DHL Stadium.

Last year the Daisies beat Boland and WP toppled Border, with the Daisies going on to clinch the final as well.

The Daisies outplayed Border twice this year in the league phase of the tournament, winning 57-12 in the opening round in East London and 47-0 in Pretoria in their second meeting and based on those results, must start as clear favourites for a three-peat of results.

The defending champions had their lapses this year, but with 10 Springbok Women internationals in their starting team and three more on the bench just look too strong and experienced for their Eastern Cape opponents.

Border have been boosted in recent weeks with the presence of sevens internationals Asi Plaatjies and Eloise Webb and will certainly pose a threat at the back. The midfield match-up of Plaatjies and Aphiwe Ngwevu against Chumisa Qawe and Jakkie Cilliers will be worth the entry fee alone.

The Cape derby will be spicy. Boland won the opening match in Wellington 35-15 after two late tries, while WP edged the Dames 27-25 on June 15 at City Park.

There is clearly not much between the sides, and much will depend on the best use of opportunities when they arise. Boland’s pack of forwards has been a constant source of front foot ball to their backs who scored heaps of tries from structured play.

The home side’s attack is more counter-intuitive and coach Stanley Raubenheimer picked a very attacking bench for this crucial game.

Few teams revel in unstructured play as much as the home side and if they have their way, Boland’s fitness will have to carry them home.

Bulls Daisies v Border Ladies
Saturday, 3 August 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Kick-off: 12h30
Referee: Siyanda Pikoli.
TV: SuperSport Rugby Channel

DHL Western Province v Boland Dames
Saturday, 3 August 2024
Venue: DHL Stadium
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
TV: SuperSport Rugby Channel (delayed)