Bulls Daisies continue to dominate the women's game
MATCH REPORT: Powered by their storming scrum, the Bulls Daisies galloped to their fourth championship win on Saturday, beating 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 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 set-piece.
The line-outs let the Bulls Daisies down, but they made up for it in the scrums.
Boland created a few changes as they opted to play it wide and fast – when they could, but their last passes inside the red zone ended their efforts.
The Bulls Daisies, 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.
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 were 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 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 demonstrated the composure that defines champion teams.
The 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.
The scorers:
For Bulls Daisies:
Tries: Anathi Qolo, Zintle Mpupha, Shaunique Alexander 2, Lebogang Ralebona, Thobile Msizazwe.
Cons: Libbie Janse van Rensburg 2, Jakkie Cilliers.
For Boland Dames:
Tries: Felicia Jacobs, Maxene Valentine.
Con: Chloe Adams
Pen: Chloe Adams
Teams:
Bulls Daisies: 15 Chuma Qawe, 14 Shaunique Alexander, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Naima Hlatshwayo, 11 Thobile Msizazwe, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Sophy Mashapa, 7 Anathi Qolo, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Vainah Ubisi, 4 Dineo Lucia Ndhlovu, 3 Azisa Mkiva, 2 Doreen Mkhabela, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements: 16 Xolelwa Diliza, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Lebogang Ralebona, 19 Sinelitha Noxeke, 20 Faith Tshauke, 21 Camelitha Malone, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Noxolo Magasela.
Boland Dames: 15 Chloe Adams, 14 Arthea King, 13 Veroeshka Grain, 12 Rufaro Tagarira, 11 Sinalo Ziqwayi, 10 Eloise Webb, 9 Felicia Jacobs, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Ropha Madyah, 6 Buhle Sonamzi, 5 Thandi Masuku, 4 Mihlali Mgweba, 3 Onako Jita, 2 Keishia Stuurman, 1 Yola Lumko.
Replacements: 16 Maxene Valentine, 17 Zena Swart, 18 Carolishia Fisher, 19 Nompumelelo Matha, 20 TJ Ngxowa, 21 Zintle Nonkasana, 22 Lulu Tyibilika, 23 Tereske Kabuika
Referee: Giana Viljoen
Assistant referees: Siyanda Pikoli, Chante Olivier
