Daisies determined to make successive final despite border challenge

The Bulls Daisies are all systems go and determined to make their second successive final of the Women’s premier division when they take on the Border Bulldogs in the 2024 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division campaign semifinals.

The Tshwane-based defending champions will square up against the pride of the Eastern Cape on Saturday 03 August from 12h30 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Tickets are available at the stadium.

The last time the two teams met, the hosts dispatched their visitors 47-0 to register a double for the season having gotten over their opponents 12-57 in their first encounter of the current campaign. History is on the Daisies’ side having taken five wins from five meetings in the last three seasons and the 2023 Champions will be hoping to count on this and their home advantage to advance beyond the final four.

Head coach Hayden Groepes has tweaked his side ahead of the encounter, returning key players who were rested in the previous matchday.

The front-row combination of Asithandile Ntoyanto, Xolelwa Diliza and Yonela Ngxingolo returns with Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo asked to combine at lock once more this season. Faith Tshauke lines up alongside Springbok Sinelitha Noxeke at flank with Sophy Mashapa on eighth duties.

Rumandi is retained at scrumhalf to link up with Unam Tose at flyhalf and the two will marshal the troops from halfback. Behind them will be Unathi Mali on left wing duties while ‘Ms. Consistency’, Patience Mokone returns to the right wing. In between the two speedsters are centre duo, Chumisa Qawe and Jakkie Cilliers with Zintle Nonkasana at fullback.

The Daisies have opted for a five-three split impact squad and will have Micke Günter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lebogang Ralebona, Ziyanda Ngohlekana, Busisiwe Crafford, Mahlatse Nkumishe, Sesihle Maguga and Naima Hlatshwayo all on standby to do duty if called upon.

BULLS DAISIES v BORDER BULLDOGS STARTING XV: 1. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 2. Xolelwa Diliza, 3. Yonela Ngxingolo, 4. Vainah Ubisi, 5. Anathi Qolo, 6. Faith Tshauke, 7. Sinelitha Noxeke, 8. Sophy Mashapa (c), 9. Rumandi Potgieter, 10. Unam Tose, 11. Unathi Mali, 12. Chumisa Qawe, 13. Jakkie Cilliers, 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Zintle Nonkasana

BULLS DAISIES IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Micke Günter, 17. Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18. Lebogang Ralebona, 19. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 20. Busisiwe Crafford, 21. Mahlatse Nkumishe, 22. Sesihle Maguga, 23. Naima Hlatshwayo

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