The Bulls Daisies have made three changes to their starting XV and a further two in their impact squad as they prepare to host South rivals, DHL Western Province, in the North-South derby in the 2025 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division league.
The two teams meet on Saturday at 12.30pm on the B-field at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Entry is free for the defending champions’ first home game and all are welcome.
Daisies mentor, Hayden Groepes, has swapped Rachelle du Plessis and Yonela Ngxingolo around, with Ngxingolo moving to the impact squad, whilst the former starts at front row alongside Springbok duo Sanelisiwe Charlie and Micke Gunter, who is at hooker. That is the only change made to the forwards pack that did duty in the opening round of the new season, thus seeing Ziyanda Ngohlekana and Anathi Qolo continuing to combine at lock with skipper Lusanda Dumke at loose forward alongside Ntsako Tshauke and Sizophila Solontsi at N 8.
Halfback duo, Unam Tose and vice-captain Byrhandre Dolf are retained for Province. Behind them, Ayalanda Malinga starts at left wing this week, swapping with Shaunique Alexander, who moves to join the impact squad. Speedstar, Patience Mokone starts on the right side of the park.
Chumisa Qhawe has a new partner at centre in Zintle Mpupha who starts this game whilst Jakkie Cilliers shifts to fullback to fill in for the absent Zintle Nonkasana.
There are a further two changes made to the five-three split impact squad as the back-to-back champions give campaign debuts to seasoned campaigner Xolelwa Diliza and junior Springbok Dineo Ndhlovu. Chuma Qhawe also forms part of the impact squad, potentially getting her first opportunity to run out for the Tshwane ladies alongside her sister, Chumisa. Doreen Mkhabela, Sophy Mashapa and Camelitha Malone are the other fresh set of legs on standby duty, alongside Alexander and Ngxingolo.
Bulls Daisies starting XV: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Patience Mokone, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Chumisa Qhawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga; 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose; 8 Sizophila Solontsi, 7 Ntsako Tshauke, 6 Lusanda Dumke (capt); 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Ziyanda Ngohlekana; 3 Rachelle du Plessis, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Doreen Mkhabela, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Xolelwa Diliza, 19 Dineo Ndhlovu, 20 Sophy Mashapa, 21 Camelitha Malone, 22 Chuma Qhawe, 23 Shaunique Alexander.
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