Powered by their storming scrum, the Isuzu Bulls Daises galloped to their fourth championship win on Saturday, beating Sanlam Boland Dames 36-15 to capture the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League crown at Loftus Versfeld.
The hosts always had a handle on Boland, who were gritty and ambitious but ultimately couldn’t live with the strength of the Isuzu Bulls Daisies.
The Pretoria team thus ended their season unbeaten, building on their legacy as South Africa’s most formidable women’s team. It was a double celebration, too, with the team hoisting co-coach Zenay Jordaan for her birthday. What a gift!
The front row of Yonela Ngxingolo, Doreen Mkhabela and Azisa Mkiva flexed their muscle early and never let up as they tore into Boland in the setpiece. Unsurprisingly, Boland opted to play it wide and fast when they could, but they had few chances on a day when temperatures were high under a blazing sun.
The Isuzu Bulls Daises, meanwhile, never relented, even though they lost flanker Sizophila Solontsi early after a heavy collision. They mixed their game up, ran hard and fast and found enough gaps to make it count.
Unfortunately, their high error count cost them several opportunities, too. Dropped passes and a modest lineout might’ve hurt them heavily against more accurate opposition, but Boland weren’t equipped to capitalise.
Captain Anathi Qolo was at the heart of several surging runs, although they lost influential playmaker Libbie Janse van Rensburg to injury early in the second half.
Ever resourceful, though, the champions continued to put the squeeze on Boland, who was forced to live off scraps. No 8 and captain Aseza Hele led heroically from the front, charging through repeatedly, but resolute defence kept her out on a day when the Isuzu Bulls Daisies were in no mood to be generous.
They were far sharper on attack, wing Shaunique Alexander catching the eye with two well-taken tries, and demonstrating the composure that defines champion teams.
The Isuzu Bulls Daisies brought on more heavy artillery in the second half, replacing the entire front row, which blunted Boland’s chances even more.
They finished with a flourish, running in several more tries to confirm their status as champions and standard bearers for the women’s game.
Scorers:
Isuzu Bulls Daisies 36 (19) - Tries: Vainah Ubisi, Zintle Mpupha, Shaunique Alexander (2), Lebogang Ralebona,Thobile Msizazwe. Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg (2), Jakkie Cilliers.
Sanlam Boland Dames 15 (3) - Tries: Felicia Jacobs, Maxene Valentine. Conversion: Chloe Adams. Penalty: Chloe Adams.