KWARU and Walker Babes have set up a thrilling rematch in the Betway Women’s Club Championship Cup final, to be held at Alberton Rugby Club in Gauteng. The two teams will face off for the second consecutive year after navigating through cliffhanger semi-finals on Wednesday. In the first semi-final, defending champions KWARU held on for a dramatic 12-12 draw against home side Pirates, advancing to the final due to scoring the first try of the match.
The Eastern Province champions will face Walker Babes, who sneaked through to the final with a 21-20 victory over Pretoria’s Harlequins in the second semi-final. Last year’s inaugural final between KWARU and Walker Babes was a nail-biting affair, with KWARU eventually winning 17-14. If Wednesday’s semi-finals are anything to go by, Friday’s final promises to provide even more drama and excitement.
In the first Cup semi-final, KWARU and Pirates went at it hammer and tongs from the opening whistle. The Gautengers were forced to absorb wave upon wave of Eastern Cape attacks before the dam wall broke after 10 minutes when flyhalf Julene Haas went over in the right-hand corner. Pirates responded with a try of their own in the 25th minute, right wing Andiswa Maseko diving over near the right-hand corner to cut the deficit to two points.
The momentum seemed to shift away from KWARU when flanker Pheliswa Mrwebi was yellow-carded on the stroke of half-time. However, the champions eventually put daylight between them and their hosts with 13 minutes remaining when No 8 Yolanda Ntibane went over from a ruck close to Pirates’ line to make it 12-5. A late twist in the tale saw Pirates loosehead prop Sharon Baloyi go over underneath the posts with a minute remaining, and former Springbok Rumandi Potgieter converted to make it 12-12.
In the second Cup semi-final, Walker Babes hung on for a famous win against their Pretoria opponents. Tries from hooker Yongama Delinkosi and flyhalf Ropha Madyah, together with a penalty try, paved the way for victory. For Harlequins, flanker Kamogelo Tlhaaka went over early, and centre Klarissa van der Linden weighed in with two penalty goals and a conversion.
The bronze medal match will feature Pirates and Harlequins in the women’s club version of the Jukskei Derby. Additionally, Busy Bees and Mqanduli Sharks will battle it out for fifth place in the Premier Division, while DUT and Valkyries will play for seventh on the final day. Earlier in the First Division matches, Welkom, Middelburg Stormers, Nelspruit, and Sol Plaatje University secured victories.
The fixtures for Friday’s final day at Alberton Rugby Club are set, with KWARU and Walker Babes competing for the top prize. The tournament has seen thrilling matches and dramatic finishes, and fans can expect another exciting encounter in the final.
Key points
- KWARU and Walker Babes will contest the Betway Women’s Club Championship Cup final for the second year running.
- The semi-finals saw dramatic finishes, with KWARU drawing 12-12 with Pirates and Walker Babes winning 21-20 against Harlequins.
- The final will be held at Alberton Rugby Club in Gauteng on Friday.
