For the first time since the inception of the elite women’s football league, South Africa will witness two Varsity Derbies on the same weekend.
UJ Ladies vs Tuks Ladies: 15h00
The first encounter will take place at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto on Saturday (29 April 2023) where the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) will be hoping to return to winning ways when they face newcomers University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) in their first ever meeting.
Both teams lost in their previous outings, with UJ Ladies suffering back to back defeats.
TUT vs UWC: 11h30
In the second Varsity Derby, which takes place on Sunday (30 April 2023) in Pretoria, top-of-the-table University of the Western Cape (UWC) travels to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) with one mission only – to maintain their position on the log standings. The Capetonians go into this fixture in high spirits following a convincing 5-1 win on Thursday (27 April) – and they may just continue on their victory streak as they tackle a struggling TUT who are low on confidence after losing four matches in a row (1-2 vs Coal City Wizards; 1-2 vs Durban Ladies; 0-1 vs JVW; 0-1 vs Sundowns Ladies).
Ma-Indies Ladies vs First Touch FC: 15h00
Also on Sunday, at the Giyani Stadium, Ma-Indies Ladies welcomes First Touch FC as the two sides will be locking horns for the fifth time in the Limpopo Derby. The second-from-bottom hosts will be hoping for a better outcome after losing twice in this fixture since 2021, with two matches drawn.
Richmond United vs Copperbelt Ladies: 15h00
Northern Cape’s Richmond United entertains newcomers Copperbelt Ladies at Merino Park in De Aar, in their first ever clash in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The home side is on a good run of five wins and a draw, while the Limpopo outfit has been having an up and down season – their record in the last six matches reads: WLWLWL.
Royal AM vs Coal City Wizards: 15h00
Royal AM are at home to Coal City Wizards who are not having the best of seasons. The two sides clash on Saturday (29 April 2023) at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammersdale, KwaZulu Natal.
The Witbank side is yet to defeat Royal AM after six meetings – they suffered five losses and played one draw.
City Lads Ladies vs JVW: 12h00
After returning from a hard-fought, midweek 2-all draw against Richmond United in the Northern Cape, JVW is on the road again to face City Lads Ladies in the Eastern Cape. In their last clash, the Blue Diamonds thrashed the home side 9-1, having won the corresponding fixture 1-0. This will be the third meeting and will take place at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha.
Thunderbirds Ladies vs TS Galaxy Queens: 13h00
Newcomers TS Galaxy, who haven’t lost in their last nine matches, will visit Thunderbirds Ladies at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Saturday. The Mpumalanga outfit seem to have found their footing and are fourth on the table on 21 points, six behind the log leaders. They take on a Thunderbirds Ladies that has only managed two wins in 10 outings.
Sundowns Ladies vs Durban Ladies: 15h00
The last clash of the weekend will see the Hollywoodbets Super League defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies lock horns with Durban Ladies in the second match of the double header at the University of Pretoria Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday.
Trailing UWC by two points after 10 matches played, the Brazilians will want nothing but a win to keep within touching distance of the students.
The coastal side may be in for another tough day at the office as they have lost all six previous fixtures against Banyana Ba Style – conceding 20 and scoring only two.
HEAD TO HEAD SUNDOWNS LADIES vs DURBAN LADIES:
Sep 2019: 3-0 Sundowns
Jan 2020: 3-1 Sundowns
May 2021: 3-1 Sundowns
Oct 2021: 3-0 Sundowns
May 2022: 7-0 Sundowns
Aug 2022: 1-0 Sundowns
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 11 FIXTURES:
Saturday, 29 April 2023:
Ma-Indies vs First Touch Academy
Giyani Stadium
Limpopo
15h00
Richmond United vs Copperbelt Ladies
Merino Park
De Aar, Northern Cape
15h00
Royal AM vs Coal City Wizards
Mpumalanga Stadium
Hammersdale, KZN
15h00
Thunderbirds Ladies vs TS Galaxy Queens
Sisa Dukashe Stadium
East London, Eastern Cape
15h00
University of Johannesburg vs University of Pretoria
UJ Soccer Stadium
Soweto, Gauteng
15h00
Sunday, 30 April 2023:
Tshwane University of Technology vs University of the Western Cape
University of Pretoria Stadium
Tshwane, Gauteng
11h30
City Lads Ladies vs JVW
Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
12h00
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs Durban Ladies
University of Pretoria Stadium
Tshwane, Gauteng
15h00
By Matlhomola Morake
