Thunderbirds Ladies relegated from Hollywoodbets Super League

The Eastern Cape side suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat at the hands of league title chasers University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Tuesday, officially condemning them to the lower Sasol League with four top flight matches remaining.

The writing was always on the wall for the Bisho-based outfit, who are yet to win a single match after 26 rounds of fixtures. 

They have so far managed only three draws, against Durban Ladies (3-3), Copperbelt Ladies (0-0) and First Touch Ladies (0-0).

One of the founding members of the HWBSL are also in danger of setting an unwanted record of going all season without winning a single match. 

The lowest recorded wins for a relegated team stands at two victories, which was registered by Tsunami Queens and Ma-Indies Ladies in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Since the formation of the league back in 2019/20, Thunderbirds’ best finish was seventh in 2021, while ending in the bottom half of the table on the four other occasions.

Their demise now leaves the Eastern Cape with only two teams in the elite women's division – the struggling City Lads Ladies (14th) and newcomers University of Fort Hare (7th), who are holding their own in the big league.

Thunderbirds still face Sundowns Ladies (28 September), UJ Ladies (5 October), TS Galaxy Queens (12 Oct), and Royal AM (9 November) before bidding the Super League farewell.

Meanwhile, it’s down to a two-horse race at the top between reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and UWC. 

After 26 games, the Brazilians hold the advantage as they lead the standings on 71 points – 14 ahead of the Capetonians, who have three matches in hand.

However, Banyana ba Style can wrap up the campaign with three more victories, which would put them out of reach even if UWC win all their remaining games.

The identity of the teams to be promoted into the elite women’s league will only be known next month at the Sasol League National Championships, which will be played from 15-20 October in Knysna, Western Cape.

READ: UCT aim to join UWC in Hollywoodbets Super League