Mahlubi Puzi, SA Rugby Manager for Women´s Rugby said on Thursday that this weekend could be the last opportunity many Women rugby players will have to impress the national selectors in preparation of the 2010 season.On Saturday, Vodacom Western Province host the Blue Bulls in the first semi final of the Women´s Inter-Provincial Competition (Group A) in a match which will be played at Newlands and will be the curtain raiser to the Absa Currie Cup match between the Vodacom Western Province and GWK Griquas.

In the other semi final, the Border Women´s team travel to Uitenhage for their playoff fixture against Eastern Province in a match which will be played at the Central Grounds Stadium.

SA Women´s national coach Denver Wannies, his assistant Rudi Gerber and Reggie Faroa, convener of national selectors for Women´s Rugby are all expected to attend the semi final fixtures.

“This will be the last opportunity that many of these players will have to impress the national selectors,” said Phuzi.

“We´ll have the selectors and the coaches attending these matches. Players of the current South African Women´s squad will have the chance to re-affirm their positions in the squad for next season, while there will also be a chance for other players to stake their claim to higher honours during the semi final matches.

Meanwhile, in the Women´s Inter-Provincial Group B section, Free State host the South Western Districts at the Clive Solomon Sports Complex in Heidedal in the first semi final of the B Division. The Griffons and Boland will battle it out in the other semi final at the Boland Stadium in Wellington.

Earlier this month, the Mpumalanga Women´s team were crowned champions of the Women´s Bottom Six Competition following their 15-14 win over the Valke in the final which was played at the GWK Park in Kimberley.

“I was extremely impressed with the level of competition in Kimberley,” added Puzi.

“While the team from Mpumalanga were the champions, I think all sides showed a vast improvement in their performances from previous competitions.”

Women Semi Final fixtures:

Women Semi final 1 (A)
Western Province v Blue Bulls (12h40) Newlands
Eastern Province v Border (17h00) Central Grounds, Uitenhage

Women Semi final (B)
Boland v Griffons (14h30) Boland Stadium, Wellington
Free State v SWD (13h00) Clive Solomon Sports Complex, Heidedal