Pumas will Defend Women’s Super League 2 Title Against Griquas
The Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women will have the opportunity to defend their Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 title against AVBOB Griquas Women after the teams from Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape won their semi-finals at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
The Pumas outplayed the Griffons Women by 34-7, while Griquas defeated the SWD Eagirls 27-10 to qualify for the final for the first time. The decider will be hosted for the second consecutive year in Nelspruit next weekend.
Both matches were a solid reflection of the talents in the Pick n Pay WSL 2 with some telling performances helping the home sides to deserving victories. Credit to Griffons and SWD though, as they emptied their tanks in their bid for glory.
The Pumas did not have it their own way in Nelspruit, as the Griffons came to play. The first half delivered plenty of attacking opportunities, but the finishing was poor on both sides, with handling errors often the problem. The Griffons’ defence deserves some plaudits though, as they often forced the Pumas into making mistakes.
The only try of the half was scored 10 minutes in when Pumas flanker Sam Ngcobo dotted down, with Sandisile Mkhabela adding the extras, but for once the home side did not get that fast start that became a trait in their league matches.
Not so in the second half though. Two tries in quick succession by fullback Alicia Mahlalela pushed the lead up to 17 points and that brought some calmness into the home side, leading to better decision-making when in possession.
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A try that started behind their goal-line then gave the Pumas a final push towards victory. Mkhabela started a counterattack and in a blink Pauline Sianga scored. The Griffons kept trying though, with outside centre Luhle Mpiko a constant threat. They were rewarded with a try 63 minutes in, but it was too little too late from the Welkom side.
Instead, the Pumas replied with two more tries and the knowledge that they will be back on home turf defending their title next weekend.
Griquas were out of the blocks first in Kimberley when outside centre Sibabalwe Jobo finished off a counter-attack that started in the Eagirls’ half and after six minutes, they were leading 7-0.
The next quarter belonged to the Eagirls though as they dominated territory and possession but just lacked the finishing touches to make it count. The home side defended very well though, keeping out the Southern Cape attackers.
Instead, Griquas grabbed back the ascendency and again, it was their counter-attacking instincts that resulted in two tries, taking them to a 19-0 lead.
First centre Jennielee van Nel scored from a move started in their own half 25 minutes in and when flyhalf Juanine Jacobs converted, the lead was 14. Five minutes later, Junior Springbok Women lock Nonkosi Ngema scored from an attacking lineout, after a brilliant 50/22 kick by Jobo pushed her team right onto the SWD line.
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Trailing 19-0, SWD had a mountain to climb in the second half, but they accepted the challenge. An early try in the half by wing Mia-Lee Matiwane started eating into Griquas’ lead and when they scored again 10 minutes from time, it was game on.
Unfortunately try-scorer Antoneica Hannies, who ran all of 40 metres to dot down, missed the conversion, but at 19-10 SWD were back in it. Griquas kicked a penalty goal four minutes later to extend their lead to 22-10 and sealed the deal when replacement prop Nicole van Wyk scored three minutes from time.
The venue, date and kick-off time of the final will be confirmed in due course.
2026 Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 League Semifinals on Saturday, 22 August 2026
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 34 (7), Griffons Women 7 (0)
Pumas – Tries: Sam Ngcobo, Pauline Sianga, Sandisile Mkhabela, Alicia Mahlalela (2), Skhulile Mabuza; Conversions: Mkhabeka (2).
Griffons – Try: Lemohang Madunal Conversion: Pinky Touto.
AVBOB Griquas Women 27 (19), SWD Eagirls 10 (0)
Griquas – Tries: Nonkosi Ngema, Jennielee van Nel, Sibabalwe Jobo, Nicolene van Wyk; Conversions: Juanine Jacobs (2); Penalty goal: Inga Qogi.
SWD – Tries: Mia-Lee Matiwane, Antoneica Hannies.
2026 Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 League Results
Round 1, Saturday, 4 July 2026
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 67 vs. AVBOB Griquas Women 29
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 19 vs. Leopards Women 57, Polokwane
Valke Women 12 vs. SWD Eagirls 37, Kempton Park
Bye: Griffons Women
Round 2, Saturday, 11 July 2026
Griffons Women 13 vs. Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 65, Welkom
SWD Eagirls 17 vs. Leopards Women 26, George
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 36 vs. Valke Women 37, Polokwane
Bye: AVBOB Griquas Women
Round 3, Saturday, 18 July 2026
Leopards Women 22 vs. Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 44, Potchefstroom
AVBOB Griquas Women 73 vs. Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 15, Kimberley
Valke Women 33 vs. Griffons Women 34, Kempton Park
Bye: SWD Eagirls
Round 4, Saturday, 25 July 2026
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 50 vs. Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 0, Nelspruit
AVBOB Griquas Women 41 vs. Valke Women 26, Kimberley
Griffons Women 19 vs. SWD Eagirls 50, Welkom
Bye: Leopards Women
Round 5, Saturday, 1 August 2026
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 44 vs. SWD Eagirls 17, Nelspruit
Leopards Women 19 vs. AVBOB Griquas Women 24, Potchefstroom
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 21 vs. Griffons Women 50, Polokwane
Bye: Valke Women
Round 6, Saturday, 8 August 2026
SWD Eagirls 26 vs. AVBOB Griquas Women 29, Groot-Brakrivier
Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 32 vs. Valke Women 5, White River
Leopards Women 10 vs. Griffons Women 19, Potchefstroom
Bye: Limpopo Blue Bulls Women
Round 7, Saturday, 15 August 2026
Valke Women 60 vs. Leopards Women 10, Kempton Park
SWD Eagirls 60 vs. Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 12, George
Griffons Women 17 vs. AVBOB Griquas Women 43, Welkom
Bye: Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women
2026 Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 Pool Stage Log
1. Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women 30
2. AVBOB Griquas Women 26
3. SWD Eagirls 17
4. Griffons Women 14
5. Valke Women 13
6. Leopards Women 11
7. Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 2
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women and AVBOB Griquas Women booked their places in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 2 final with semi-final wins over the Griffons Women and SWD Eagirls at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday, 22 August 2026. File Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
Crédito: Link de origem