Defending Women’s Premier Division champions, the Bulls Daisies, opened the 2025 competition with a runaway victory on Saturday, while Sanlam Boland Dames, DHL Western Province and Border Ladies all secured first-round wins at home.
The Daisies scored 14 tries in a 90-5 win over the EP Queens at the Wolfson Stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay; WP beat the Free State Women by 53-13 at False Bay Rugby Football Club in Cape Town; the Dames romped to a 57-20 win over the Golden Lions Women at Boland Stadium in Wellington; and the Border Ladies earned bragging rights in their East Coast showdown with the Sharks Women in a low scoring match, winning 17-6.
The Daisies proved far too slick for the Queens, who will be grateful that they don’t have to face the champions for the rest of the year.
The Pretoria side used their forward dominance to good effect, with the rolling maul a big weapon, while in the second half, their bench provided even more impact.
It was a memorable day for wing Shaunique Alexander, who scored her first try for the Daisies, while her counterpart, Johnerecia Booysen, will be equally proud of her solo effort that provided the Queens with their solitary try.
Aseza Hele was on fire in Wellington, scoring five tries in their bonus point win over their visitors from Johannesburg. The Dames pack was in full control and scrummed the Lions pack all around Boland Stadium, while their speedy backs executed well when possession, scoring four tries.
Flyhalf Lara Schats enjoyed the day behind a dominant pack and kicked six conversions.
BORDER AND WP SECURE WINS
The Border Ladies outscored their northern coastal neighbours by three tries to nil in East London, something new Sharks Women’s coach Jason Hector will not be pleased about.
The home side held a 10-6 lead at the break following two tries to two Mary Zulu penalty goals, and added another converted try in the second half, while the Durban side could not add any points.
DHL Western Province also enjoyed a productive day in Cape Town, where they had too much in their arsenal for their Bloemfontein visitors.
Wing Voice Ndou, their leading try scorer from last season, was at it again, scoring three of their nine tries on a hot afternoon where the WP pack dominated from the start.
The Free State Women were in the game until halftime, having scored two tries themselves but they had no reply when the home side upped the tempo in the second half.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 53 (22), Free State Women 13
WP – Tries: Azisa Mkiva, Anushka Groenewald, Anelisiwe Mxabo (2), Voice Ndou (3), Shaunique Hess, Thandile Mazwi. Conversions: Sesethu Mtshazi (2), Elme Kruger (2).
Free State – Tries: Natasha Motlomelo, Alida Strydom. Penalty goal: Thamie Yeko.
Border Ladies 17 (10), Sharks Women 6 (6)
Border – Tries: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lilitha Vakalisa (2). Conversion: Bridgette Coetzee.
Sharks – Penalty goals: Mary Zulu (2).
EP Queens 5 (0), Bulls Daisies 90 (43)
EP – Try: Johnerecia Booysen.
Bulls – Tries: Micke Gunter (2), Faith Tshauke (2), Byrhandre Dolf, Shaunique Alexander (2), Chumisa Qawe (2), Jakkie Cilliers, Patience Mokone, Zintle Nonkasana, Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga. Conversions: Cilliers (10).
Sanlam Boland Dames 57 (19), Golden Lions Women 20 (6).
Boland – Tries: Aseza Hele (5), Felicia Jacobs, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Macaela Samboya. Conversions: Lara Schats (6).
Golden Lions – Tries: Thobile Msizazwe (2). Conversions: Klarissa van der Linden (2). Penalty goals: Van der Linden (2).