The Bulls Daisies welcome Free State Women in an expected “grueling rugby match” in the capital, while the match between DHL Western Province and Sanlam Boland Dames highlights another intriguing round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, with this coastal derby a straight shoot-out is for second place on the log.
The winner of the match at City Park moves into second place on the log, where the Bulls Daisies are still nicely at the top. The defending champions host Free State Women in Pretoria this weekend and are clear favorites in round nine of the competition.
Daisies coach Hayden Groepes adjusted his side for their Loftus B meeting with Free State Women, with Zeeze Maguga given a first start at outside center and Sizophila Solontsi returning to the squad following her spell with the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Madrid .
Groepes says the competition will be grueling and the Daisies will have to be smart.
“The last time we played against this team, they turned out to be real competitors that we were only able to shake off in the very last minute of the match. So our ladies will have to be smart in their approach and they will have to trust the system we have in place because we believe it is good enough to get us over the line.”
“We are prepared for that ugly fight but the home ground advantage and support should be on our side and the experience of our returning players like Sizophila, Anathi and Asithandile on the bench should help us a lot.”
Groepes added: “For us this week the focus has been on how each individual contributes to the team’s big goal and the way the ladies have risen to answer the question gives me confidence that we can get everyone in the stands, an entertaining rugby game where we hunt for all available points.”
In a key move, Free State coach Darren Colby moved Anacadia Minnaar from flyhalf to scrumhalf and Bernice Strydom to flyhalf as he looks to inject some spark back into his attack.
The home team will be overwhelming favourites, especially after the big defeat the visitors suffered against Ladies last week.
elsewhere…
In another duel for coastal bragging rights, Border Women await EP Queens in East London. The visitors are desperate for a first win but look unlikely to turn their fortunes around and move off the bottom of the log. The remaining match of the round will see Golden Lions Women host Sharks Women at Alberton Rugby Club.
The Cape clash has all the elements of a cliffhanger. Both teams have won six of eight matches so far and have 31 log points. The ladies have a slightly better points difference and much will depend on the reintroduction of regular Springbok Women’s No. 8, Aseza Hele, back into the women’s jersey.
Hele returned from a spell with Harlequins Women in England and will start in the middle, where her strong ball transfer could be telling for the visitors.
The home side have some serious pace in the back line to counter that and it will most likely be the impact of the bench that will decide the winner in this highly anticipated match.
Eastern Cape bragging rights will be on the line again in East London where Border Ladies will host EP Queens at Baysville High School.
The home side won their previous encounter with ease and given the defensive problems the Queens appear to be having, the Border backs can be expected to have a productive afternoon. They have been boosted by the availability of Springbok Women’s Sevens center Asisipho Plaatjies, who will start from the bench.
The Golden Lions Women are in desperate need of another win if they want to keep their title hopes alive, but the Sharks Women loom large on the horizon. The visitors have Mary Zulu back at flyhalf, and she, alongside the experienced Tayla Kinsey, should carry the Durbanites to secure another victory, as they did in the previous clash between the two, which was won 29-17 won by the home team in Durban.
BULLS DAISIES versus FREE STATE WOMEN FROM XV: 1. Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2. Doreen Mkhabela, 3. Xolelwa Diliza, 4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 5. Vainah Ubisi, 6. Lusanda Dumke (c), 7. Sinelitha Noxeke, 8. Faith Tshauke, 9. Unam Tose, 10. Naima Hlatshwayo, 11. Relebohile Motaung, 12. Jakkie Cilliers, 13. Sesihle Maguga, 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Zintle Nonkasana
BULLS DAISIES IMPACT TEAM: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Yonela Ngxingolo, 18. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 19. Anathi Qolo, 20. Sizophila Solontsi, 21. Rumandi Potgieter, 22. Lynn Subke, 23. Mahlatsi Nkumishe
MANAGEMENT OF BULL DAISIES: Hayden Groepes – Head Coach, Aschin Klein – Assistant Coach, Thando Manana – Manager, Dr. Sbu Ntuli – Team Doctor, Karabo Morokane & Lenel Allison – Physiotherapist(s), Tayla Chidrawi – Strength & Conditioning, Luyolo Tandani – Logistics Manager, Swazi Bisset – Partnership Manager, Akusenani Khumalo – Team Manager
Match details:
Bulls Daisies vs. Free State Women
Date: Saturday June 15, 2024
Location: Loftus Versfeld B, Pretoria
Kick-off: 1:00 PM
Referee: Aneka Fick
Vodacom Bulls
bullsrugby.co.za