Bulls Daisies v Boland Dames: Road to the Women's Super League Final

SPOTLIGHT: History will be made at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday as Boland Dames contest their first-ever Women’s Super League final against the dominant Bulls Daisies.

While Boland were tipped as contenders at the start of the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League, their path to the Final has been anything but straightforward.

A crucial victory over Western Province ultimately secured their place in the decider, capping a campaign defined by resilience and timely performances.

For the Bulls Daisies, however, this is familiar territory.

Chasing a fourth consecutive title, the Pretoria side enters the final as defending Women’s Premier Division champions and overwhelming favourites.

Having previously faced Western Province in each of the last three finals, the Daisies now prepare for a very different challenge in the form of a determined Boland outfit.

Fast starts set the tone

Boland Dames launched their campaign in emphatic fashion, beating Free State Women 36-5 at Boland Stadium. The bonus-point victory set the tone for a side intent on making a statement.

The Bulls Daisies were even more ruthless, underlining their dominance with a 100-0 demolition of Border Women.

Both teams maintained their winning momentum in Round Two. The Daisies cruised to a 45-3 win over Sharks Women in Durban, with Springbok Women star Zintle Mpupha producing a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick.

Boland, meanwhile, were pushed harder but still delivered, overcoming Border Ladies 45-21 after a strong second-half showing.

Daisies assert authority

The first meeting between the two sides came in Round Three – and it proved one-sided.

Despite Boland opening the scoring through flyhalf Chloe Adams, the Bulls Daisies quickly took control, racing to a 40-8 halftime lead before sealing a comprehensive 47-8 victory.

The result ended Boland’s unbeaten start and served as a reminder of the champions’ firepower.

The Daisies followed that up with another statement performance, defeating Western Province 50-22 in Bellville after weathering an early onslaught.

Boland got back to winning ways as Aseza Hele scored a hat-trick against her former team, EP Queens, in a 41-29 win in Gqeberha.

In Round Five, the Bulls Daisies stepped up another gear in Pretoria, scoring 11 tries as they pummelled the EP Queens 71-5 at Loftus Versfeld.

Boland Dames scored two late tries in Alberton to pull away and beat the Golden Lions Women, but it was a much closer affair than the 40-22 scoreline suggests.

The Dames had a difficult start at Alberton Rugby Club in a match that started in the rain and finished in sunshine.

Final showdown

In Round Six, it was a case of do or die for Boland. They went up against Western Province for a spot in the final.

The Dames secured a crucial 21-15 victory, moving into second place on the log.

It was a highly entertaining match, played at a good pace, with high skill levels and the intensity a derby normally brings – certainly the match of the season.

With a 21-8 lead, WP gained the upper hand in the last 10 minutes, but incredible defence by the Dames kept them at bay.

The Bulls Daisies delivered a workmanlike performance in Bloemfontein, beating a gutsy Free State Women 52-9 after leading 28-6 at the break.

In the final round, the Daisies almost reached another 100 points as they dismissed their Gauteng rivals, Golden Lions Women, 95-5, while the Dames had a much tougher fight on their hands in Durban.

They outplayed the Sharks Women 33-22 in a tight match at KP2.

The win – their sixth in seven games – placed them second on the overall log and booked their place in the Final.

The Bulls Daisies head into the Final as clear favourites; however, one can expect a big fight from Boland Dames.