The Betway Women’s Club Championship, a key event in South African women’s rugby, began on Monday in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The tournament has brought together 16 top women’s club teams, including defending champions KWARU from Eastern Province. The competition features teams from 15 provincial unions and allows participation from four tertiary institutions not part of the FNB Varsity Cup. The event aims to promote women’s rugby and provide a platform for teams to compete at a high level.
The first day of the championship saw several exciting matches, with the Premier Division Cup semi-finals taking shape. Defending champions KWARU demonstrated their strength with a 29-5 victory over DUT, led by flyhalf Julene Haas, who was named player of the match. Other teams that secured wins on Monday included Walker Babes, Pirates, and Harlequins, who will compete in the semi-finals. The tournament has shown a significant improvement in the quality of play compared to the previous year.
In the First Division, Nelspruit got off to a strong start, defeating Welkom 39-7. Fullback Alicia Mahlalela scored two tries, while centre Pauline Sianga also crossed the line and nailed a conversion. Sol Plaatje University and Vaal University of Technology also secured wins in their respective matches. The First Division matches featured teams from tertiary institutions and provincial unions, showcasing the growing talent in women’s rugby.
The afternoon’s Premier Division matches were highly anticipated, with Harlequins defeating Collegians Valkyries 29-20. The match was marked by a strong performance from hooker Minge van Rensburg and accurate kicking from centre Klarissa van der Linden. In another closely contested match, Pirates announced themselves as title contenders with a 24-10 victory over Western Province’s Busy Bees. The match was tied at halftime, but Pirates’ individual brilliance ultimately secured their win.
Walker Babes also made a strong statement with a 38-5 win over Border’s Mqanduli Sharks, scoring six tries in the process. The team demonstrated their title ambitions with a dominant performance. Meanwhile, KWARU showed their championship class by withstanding DUT’s early energy and securing a convincing win.
The Betway Women’s Club Championship will continue until Friday, with the teams split into two divisions of eight teams each. The tournament format is similar to the FNB Youth Weeks, with the top teams competing for the Premier Division Cup. The event has received significant support from sponsors and fans, highlighting the growing interest in women’s rugby in South Africa.
As the tournament progresses, teams will look to make their mark and secure a spot in the final. With the quality of play improving and the competition heating up, the Betway Women’s Club Championship promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event. The championship will conclude on Friday, with the semi-finals and final matches set to determine the ultimate winner.
Key points
- The Betway Women’s Club Championship features 16 top women’s club teams competing over three days.
- Defending champions KWARU secured a convincing win over DUT in their first match.
- The tournament has shown a significant improvement in the quality of play compared to the previous year.
