Loftus battle as South Africa's top teams go head-to-head in Final
PREVIEW: The two top teams in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League will fight it out for the ultimate glory at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday when the Bulls Daisies will host the Boland Dames in the 2026 Final.
The Daisies are looking for a fourth consecutive title, while the Dames are eyeing the Premier Division silverware for the first time in a match that promises to dazzle and entertain.
Not only are both finalists well-rounded teams who can transition from attack to defence or the other way around in no time, but some of the premier players in the country will also be in action in Pretoria come Saturday.
The home side is laden with test caps in almost all positions, while the Dames have considerably fewer internationals in their team, but those who have represented the Springbok Women in the past did so outstandingly.
The two sides met earlier in the tournament, in a Round Three clash just over a month ago, at the same venue.
That match was halted just after the halftime mark due to lightning strikes in the Loftus Versveld precinct, but alarmingly for Boland, the Daisies were already 47-8 ahead at the time, having scored seven tries to one when play was halted.
Fair to say, Boland Dames have improved in leaps and bounds since then, with the return to action of Eloise Webb at flyhalf a major contributing factor, as she opened up the dangerous strike runners in the Dames backline, most notably Rufaro Tagarira, with the Zimbabwean test player creating havoc and momentum in the midfield.
They also found a reliable goal kicker in the shape of Chloe Adams. And then of course, there is Aseza Hele, one of the most destructive ball-carriers in the tournament and country.
The Daisies, with their abundance of class all over the squad, deserve credit for not dropping their standards when they faced weaker opposition. Instead, they focused on and fine-tuned their team play, fundamentals and allowed enough freedom to their test players to express their skill set, hence the commanding performances of players such as Sizophila Solontsi, Chuma Qawe and Vainah Ubisi, not to mention the return to action of Zintle Mpupha and Libbie Janse van Rensburg.
They have won their seven league matches with an average score of 66-7 and scored 73 tries at an average of ten per match. The Dames have an average score of 31-23 with 35 tries at five per match.
The pundits and the statisticians will tell you only one team can win this. They are probably right, but spectators, viewers and fans can rest assured that Boland will make a game of this. If that happens, everyone will be in for a highly entertaining and interesting 80 minutes with women’s rugby the real winner.
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
Date: Saturday, April 4
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 11.00 (09.00 GMT)
Referee: Giana Viljoen
Assistant referees: Siyanda Pikoli, Chante Olivier
*Broadcast: SuperSport Variety 1 (channel 206)
