The Pick n Pay Women's Super League 2 gets underway on Saturday with three matches across Kimberley, Kempton Park and Polokwane, as Hollywood Foundation Pumas Women begin their title defence as the competition's first-ever back-to-back champions to beat.
The Pumas, who claimed their maiden WSL 2 title last year, travel to Suzuki Stadium to face Avbob Griquas Women (kick-off 12h00), with Griquas hampered by the unavailability of several Sol Plaatjie University players who are at the USSA tournament in Gqeberha. Sibusiso Ngomane's Pumas are comparatively less affected by the student exodus, making this an opportunity to build an early lead at the top of the standings.
The Valke Women host SWD Eagirls at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park (12h00), a fixture expected to be the most competitive of the round given that both sides are minimally disrupted by the USSA commitments. Stompi Catherine Lowane's Valke will look to exploit home altitude, while Elize Arendse's Eagirls make the trip from the coast.
In Polokwane, the Limpopo Blue Bulls host the Leopards Women at the University of Limpopo (13h00), with both squads stripped of players from the University of Limpopo and Northwest University respectively. The return of those players in round two will significantly strengthen both sides, making the result here particularly consequential.
The Griffons have a bye in round one.
The competition — rebranded from the Women's First Division — runs on a single-round format leading into semi-finals on 22 August and a final on 29 August.