In the First Division, Free State Women have dominated from the word go. The Bloemfontein side has moved captain Bernice Strydom to flyhalf for their encounter against the Valke Women and will start with Goitseone Nche at tighthead prop.

Nche – whose nickname is ‘Fox’ – is the sister of Springbok front ranker Ox Nche, while remarkably, Strydom will play in her seventh of 10 positions on the rugby field at the provincial level – she is yet to play prop, hooker, and scrumhalf, but has played provincial rugby in every other position as well as Test rugby for South Africa as a lock and loose forward.

The Leopards Women will host Griquas Women in Potchefstroom and are favorites to win. Griquas showed good improvement against the Valke last weekend but will have to play exceptionally well to topple the home side.

The same goes for the Pumas Women, who travel to Oudtshoorn to face SWD Eagles. The defending champions from the Southern Cape have scored 34 tries in four matches and their attacking abilities will be a tough assignment for the Pumas defence.

In Welkom, the Griffons Women are still in search of a first win, and they are finding it tough against faster-paced teams, such as the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women. If they can stop the momentum of Faith Mkhari’s troops, they have a chance to get that elusive win, but it is going to need a momentous effort.

Women’s First Division fixtures:

Free State Women vs Valke Women
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Saturday, 8 July
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Aneka Fick

Leopards Women vs Griquas Women
Venue: Olen Park, Potchefstroom
Date: Saturday, 8 July
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Cameron Dyers

SWD Eagirls vs Pumas Women
Venue: Bridgton Sports Stadium, Oudtshoorn
Date: Saturday, 8 July
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: JD de Meyer

Griffons Women vs Limpopo Blue Bulls Women
Venue: Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom
Date: Saturday, 8 July
Kick-off: 14h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout