Bulls Daisies mentor Hayden Groepes has shuffled his side ahead of their 2025 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division league third-round clash against second-on-the-table Sanlam Boland Dames.
The top-of-the-table clash takes place on Saturday 08 February at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington. Kick-off is set for 12h30, and the winner will take home more than just points on the board, with a points difference the true advantage that either of the sides will be playing for. This season’s competition is a single round and that means the stakes of hosting a home knockout game are raised even higher.
Springbok duo Sanelisiwe Charlie and club skipper Lusanda Dumke both miss out due to injury and illness whilst speed queen Maria Tshiremba comes in for Ayanda Malinga at wing. The experienced Libbie Janse van Rensburg comes into the fold in place of Shaunique Alexander.
The absence of Charlie and Dumke has necessitated a shuffle within the forward pack, which sees Yonela Ngxingolo, Micke Gunter and Xolelwa Diliza lining up in the front row. Behind them is the lock pairing of Ziyanda Ngohlekana and Anathi Qolo.
Sizophila ‘The Bulldozer’ Solontsi shifts to loose forward alongside Faith Tshauke with Sophy Mashapa starting at eight where Solontsi was a week ago.
At the back, Unam Tose starts again at scrumhalf with utility back Byrhandre Dolf at flyhalf. Behind the halfback duo are Tshiremba, who will get her first run of the season at left wing. Patience Mokone on the rugby-hand side of the park. Resourceful utility back Jakkie Cilliers serves at fullback.
Matchday skipper Zintle Mpupha partners up with fellow Springbok teammate Chumisa Qawe at inside and outside centre, respectively.
Groepes has continued with the preferred five-three split impact squad that features Karabo Lebotsa, Doreen Mkhabele, Rachelle du Plessis, Busisiwe Crafford, Dineo Ndhlovu, Camelitha Malone, Chuma Qawe and Janse van Rensburg.
Bulls Daisies: 1. Yonela Ngxingolo, 2. Micke Gunter, 3. Xolelwa Diliza, 4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 5. Anathi Qolo, 6. Sizophila Solontsi, 7. Ntsako Tshauke, 8. Sophy Mashapa, 9. Unam Tose, 10. Byrhandre Dolf, 11. Maria Tshiremba, 12. Chumisa Qawe, 13. Zintle Mpupha (c), 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Jakkie Cilliers. Replacements: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Doreen Mkhabele, 18. Rachelle du Plessis, 19. Busisiwe Crafford, 20. Dineo Ndhlovu, 21. Camelitha Malone, 22. Chuma Qawe, 23. Libbie Janse van Rensburg.