The 2023 Women’s Premier Division champions, the Bulls Daisies begin their title defence and the quest for back-to-back crowns in East London where they visit Border Women in round one of the 2024 competition.
The clash is set for a 1.30pm kick-off at Police Park.
The Daisies begin their new campaign with a boost in confidence as multiple regulars return from injury and international duty. Amongst these notable returnees is Sizophila Solontsi whose season was abruptly ended by a long-term injury in the late stages of the side’s championship pursuits. Solontsi returns to start at eight, completing a forwards’ pack that sees Sanelisiwe Charlie (loose-head prop) Xolelwa Diliza (hooker) and Asithandile Ntoyanto (tight-head prop) combining at front row.
Newly capped Springbok lock Anathi Qolo, who is amongst those returning from international duty, will pair up with Vainah Ubisi in the second row whilst skipper, Lusanda Dumke (blind-side) and Bok forward, Sinelitha Noxeke completes the third row at open-side flank.
Rumandi Potgieter will conduct the flow of traffic at flyhalf alongside Unam Tose whose creative prowess will marshal the herd at flyhalf. The combative duo will link the forwards with the explosive backline at halfback.
Behind the combative halfback duo will be an explosive backline consisting of Lucky Nkhumishe at left wing with Chantel Dikgale running on the right side of Police Park. In-between the speedsters will be the centre combination of Zintle Nonkasana (inside) and Unathi Mali (outside) with the cool, calm and collected Springbok star, Byrhandre Dolf at fullback.
Head Coach, Hayden Groepes will have the services of Karabo Lebotsa, Doreen Mkhabela, Rachelle du Plessis, Busisiwe Crafford, Ziyanda Ngohlekana, Sophy Mashapa, Surprise Baloi and Lesego Mdhluli who will all be ready to bring on fresh legs from the impact squad.
Groepes says the record-breaking side is hungry to achieve more success as they continue to define the era of professional women’s rugby.
“We are in a privileged position as a squad because we have unprecedented support from the club and we understand the responsibility that comes with it. This is why we have set ourselves ambitious goals for this season, wanting to better the strides we took in the previous campaign.
“We are desperate for more success and that will be a little more complex this campaign because we are potentially the one team with a bigger target on our backs now, but again that is a place of privilege that this team has worked hard to get to and now we want to work harder to remain there.”
Groepes adds: “Our goals are bolder and the desire to achieve more is bigger than before. We are excited to get this campaign off the road and the new faces in the squad have also introduced an added level of energy that will do us well in what will be a long and hard-fought season.”
Bulls Daisies starting XV: 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Chantel Dikgale, 13 Unathi Mali, 12 Zintle Nonkasana, 11 Lucky Nkhumishe; 10 Unam Tose, 9 Rumandi Potgieter; 8 Sizophila Solontsi, 7 Sinelitha Noxeke, 6 Lusanda Dumke (capt); 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi; 3 Asithandile Ntoyanto, 2 Xolelwa Diliza, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Karabo Lebotsa, 17 Doreen Mkhabela, 18 Rachelle du Plessis, 19 Busisiwe Crafford, 20 Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 21 Sophy Mashapa, 22 Surprise Baloi, 23 Lesego Mdhluli.
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