On the second to last day of Women’s Month, Saturday, August 30, the Hollywood Foundation Pumas defeated the Leopards 21-8 to win the 2025 Women’s First Division championship. In doing so they cemented a sisterhood, after a long season of blood, sweat and toil, that will remain forever.

The final was played at Nelspruit Rugby Club. The Pumas defended like Amazons, putting in hit after hit. It was this ferocious tackling that won them the match and the title.

The Pumas dominated territory and possession from the kick-off, but the Leopards defence held. Penalty goals in the 10th and 18th minutes from the boot of fullback Sandisile Mkhabela gave the home team a 6-0 lead.

The Leopards put their first points on the scoreboard with a penalty goal by fullback Verana van Heerden on 23 minutes.

The Pumas’ hard work eventually paid off when they were awarded a penalty try in the 28th minute. Left wing Khethokuhle Vilakazi was already over the try line and just had to dot down when Dineo Ntlhaeng hit her with a high tackle, earning the women in pink seven points and the Leopard’s wing a yellow card.

The Leopards hit back in the last minute of the first half. Flanker Martha Yokwane scored the try after a sustained attack in the Pumas’ half. Van Heerden missed the conversion.

The half-time score was 13-8 in favour of the Pumas.

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The Pumas carried their territorial domination into the second half. In the 46th minute the Mpumalanga team opted to tap a kickable penalty and after various phases, fly half Qhawekazi Mdolomba sniped over for a try. Mkhabela’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The Leopards showed intense fighting spirit. They had been playing on the back foot for much of the match and knew they needed to score soon. They strung together an excellent period of attacking rugby, but the Pumas tackled like their lives depended on it. The spirit and absolute determination the Pumas showed to repel the Leopards’ onslaughts were key to winning the match.

The Pumas absorbed the pressure and started regaining control of the game. The home team were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty on 75 minutes. It was not a difficult kick, but in a final every kick is pressure kick. Mkhabela set up the ball on the tee and went through her motions, like she had done hundreds of times before in practice. She slotted the ball between the uprights and the Pumas held a 13-point lead with the clock running out.

The Leopards threw everything at the Pumas but once again the pink warriors’ defence was rock solid.

When the final whistle sounded the players and support staff erupted in celebration on the field.

The Pumas were deserving winners, with their solid their set pieces and their powerful scrumming particularly impressive.

The Leopards played with pride, but made too many unforced errors and conceded too many penalties.

The Pumas were able to control the pace of the game and made good use of their opportunities.

The brave women in pink wore their hearts on their sleeves and left everything out on the pitch – their rewards – a 21-8 victory, the coveted First Division plate and the 2025 champions’ title.