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Daisies change two ahead of trip to Bloem

rugby18 April 2024 14:50
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Bulls Daisies

The Bulls Daisies have made two forced changes to their matchday 23 that will travel to Bloemfontein where they will be taking on the newly promoted Free State Women’s side in round 2 of the 2024 Women’s Premier Division.

Head coach Hayden Groepes has made the involuntary changes in the second and third row as Anathi Qolo and Sinelitha Noxeke both miss out due to injury.

Vainah Ubisi moves to the right side of the second row as the 5-lock, making room for Ziyanda Ngohlekana who comes into 4 in Qolo’s absence.

In the third row, Sophy Mashapa steps into the open-side flank role as Noxeke is sidelined.

Mashapa will assemble alongside her captain, Lusanda Dumke who will lace up her boots at blind-side flank with Sizophila Solontsi at eight.

The front row will see the unchanged trio of Sanelisiwe Charlie (loose-head prop), Xolelwa Diliza (hooker) and Asithandile Ntoyanto (tight-head prop) complete the forward pack.

Scrumhalf, Rumandi Potgieter will once again combine with flyhalf, Unam Tose as the day’s halfback duo.

Behind them, Lucky Nkhumishe makes room for Unathi Mali who swaps centre for the left wing after last week’s hattrick of tries in East London.

NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM

Mali will pair up with Patience Mokone who returns from injury with Chantel Dikgale moving to the impact squad.

Mokone will run out on the right-hand side of the CUT Rugby Stadium.

Inside centre, Zintle Nonkosana will run alongside Jackie Cilliers who lines up at outside centre as she also returns from injury. Byrhandre Dolf is retained at fullback.

Karabo Lebotsa, Doreen Mkhabela, Rachelle du Plessis, Busisiwe Crafford, Glenda Surprise Baloyi, Faith Tshauke and Mahlatse Lucky Nkhumishe all form part of the complete impact squad alongside Dikgale.

Groepes says his team will have to dig deep as they manage injuries and rotation.

“Injuries are a part of the game, that is the unfortunate part of this game we love. It is never easy to lose players, especially this early in the season but this is an opportunity for the next Daisy to put up their hand and make use of the time they get in the field/”

“As a team, we have said we want to rotate and have everyone on standby for duty with each match day and that can only come with players getting game time. This is how we see ourselves creating depth.”

The Daisies mentor adds: “It is not all doom and gloom as we get two backs returning to the fold in Jackie and Patience who return from injury. Their return bolsters our squad from a playing point of view and team morale perspective as well and they also assist us in the bench where we can split it to 6-2 this week,”

“We expect that Free State will come at us guns blazing but I trust our processes and the work we have put in this week to prepare for the weekend, so it should be another great encounter between two competitive teams.”

BULLS DAISIES v FREE STATE WOMEN STARTING XV: 1. Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2. Xolelwa Diliza, 3. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 5. Vainah Ubisi, 6. Lusanda Dumke (c), 7. Sophy Mashapa, 8. Sizophila Solontsi, 9. Rumandi Potgieter, 10. Unam Tose, 11. Unathi Mali, 12. Zintle Nonkosana, 13. Jackie Cilliers, 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Byrhandre Dolf

BULLS DAISIES IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Doreen Mkhabela, 18. Rachelle du Plessis, 19. Busisiwe Crafford, 20. Glenda Surprise Baloyi, 21. Faith Tshauke, 22. Mahlatse Lucky Nkhumishe, 23. Chantel Dikgale

BULLS DAISIES MANAGEMENT: Hayden Groepes - Head Coach, Aschin Klein - Assistant Coach, Thando Manana - Manager, Dr. Sbu Ntuli - Team Doctor, Karabo Morokane & Lenel Allison - Physiotherapist(s), Tayla Chidrawi - Strength & Conditioning, Luyolo Tandani - Logistics Manager, Swazi Bisset - Partnerships Manager, Akusenani Khumalo - Team Manager

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