Women’s Premier Division – Bulls Daisies Welcome Free State

 

The Bulls Daisies welcome Free State Women in an anticipated "attritional rugby clash" in the capital whilst 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 for second spot on the log.

The winner of the match at City Park will move into second place on the log, where the Bulls Daisies are still sitting pretty at the top. The defending champions are hosting Free State Women in Pretoria this weekend and are clear favourites in round nine of the competition.

The Daisies coach, Hayden Groepes, tweaked his side for their Loftus B encounter with Free State Women, with Zeeze Maguga getting a first start at outside centre and Sizophila Solontsi returning to the squad after her stint with the Springbok Women's Sevens in Madrid.

Groepes says the match will be attritional and will require the Daisies to be street-smart.

"The last time we played this side, they proved to be real competitors who we couldn't really shake off until the very last minute of the game. So our ladies will have to be street smart in their approach and they will have to trust in 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 advantage of home soil 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 great deal."

Groepes added: "For us this week, the focus was on how each individual contributes to the great cause of the team and the way the ladies have stood up to answer the question gives me confidence that we will be able to give everyone on the stands, an entertaining game of rugby as we chase all available points."

In a significant move, Free State coach, Darren Colby, moved Anacadia Minnaar from flyhalf to scrumhalf and Bernice Strydom to flyhalf as he tried to put some spark back into his attack.
The home side will be overwhelming favourites, especially after the huge defeat the visitors suffered against Dames last week.

Bulls Daisies: 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. Replacements: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Yonela Ngxingolo, 18. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 19. Anathi Qolo, 20. Sizophila Solontsi, 21. Rumandi Potgieter, 22. Lynn Subke, 23. Mahlatsi Nkumishe.