Bulls Daisies shuffle team for Boland trip

Micke Gunter will start in the No 2 jersey again this week for the Bulls Daisies. © BBCo

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 at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington. Kick-off is set for 12.30pm 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 forwards pack, which sees Yonela Ngxingolo, Micke Gunter and Xolelwa Diliza lining up at 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 No 8 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, and Patience Mokone on the right 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 centre.

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 starting XV: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Patience Mokone, 13 Zintle Mpupha (capt), 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maria Tshiremba; 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose; 8 Sophy Mashapa, 7 Ntsako Tshauke, 6 Sizophila Solontsi; 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Ziyanda Ngohlekana; 3 Xolelwa Diliza, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo. 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.