Daisies bloom on the Highveld, Valke soar in First Division

The Bulls Daisies smashed Sharks Women 75-8 in the sole match of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division this weekend, getting over the try line 11 times and only conceding a solitary try by the visitors at Loftus B in Pretoria on Saturday.

The rest of the teams had a bye and will continue with round 11 next weekend.

It was not a great outing for the visitors, who came to Pretoria on the back of two good wins, but they just had no reply to the relentless attack from the home side, which is yet to lose in Pretoria for two seasons.

The defending champions raced into a 42-0 lead at the break and were always comfortable. A second-half try and a penalty goal by the Sharks Women did break the monotony of scoring for the Bulls, but that was never going to be enough.

Wing Patience Mokone scored a hat-trick, while Jakkie Cilliers dotted down twice and converted 10 of 11 kicks at goal.

Cilliers has kicked 47 conversions (and scored nine tries) to date this season and, with 129 points for the season thus far, looks set for a new points-scoring record in the competition. The current mark is 136 points, scored by Libbie Janse van Rensburg in 2023.

Scorers:

Bulls Daisies 75 (42), Sharks Women 8 (0)

Scorers:

Daisies - Tries: Asithandile Ntoyanto, Vainah Ubisi, Sophy Mashapa, Nelisiwe Mnguni, Jakkie Cilliers (2), Patience Mokone (3), Zintle Nonkasana, Faith Tshauke. Conversions: Cilliers (10).

Sharks - Try: Ulender Khumalo. Penalty goal: Mary Zulu

SA Rugby Women’s First Division:

The Valke Women moved to the top of the standings with an impressive 38-7 win over Griffons in Kempton Park, while the Leopards Women delivered a good defensive effort to beat Pumas Women 20-0 in Potchefstroom. In the other third-round clash, the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women got their first win of the tournament with a 27-17 win over Griquas in Kimberley.

Limpopo's left wing, Jibrine Dube, was again impressive on attack and scored three tries at Suzuki Park, taking her tally to six in three matches. Griquas had a 12-10 lead at the break but could only watch as Dube spearheaded a comeback for the visitors' first win.

The Leopards also came back strongly in the second half of their game against Pumas. The match remained scoreless in the first half, but the home side managed their bonus point try close to the end of the match to secure a full house.

The Valke Women have scored 15 tries in three matches so far and that attacking style asked a lot of questions from the Griffons, who only played their second match of the tournament after a first-round bye.

The SWD Eagirls had a bye.

Scorers:

Valke Women 38 (17), Griffons Women 7 (7)

Valke - Tries: Noxolo Nkambule, MJ Nakeng, Amu Lisenga, Sandisile Mkhabela, Lucia Yalezwa Xosana, Beaula Mhoya. Conversions: Londeka Ntanzi (3), Matshediso Bojosi.

Griffons - Try: Mami Lechelekoane. Conversion: Tshepiso Matelile

Griquas Women 17 (12), Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 27 (10)

Scorers:

Griquas - Tries: Nomvila Sekosana, Nicole van Wyk (2). Conversion: Lauren Januarie.

Limpopo - Jubrine Dube (3), Mapula Matsimela, Reason Mabuza. Conversion: Evelyn Mkhabele.

Leopards 20 (0), Pumas Women 0 (0)

Scorers:

Kamogelo Letsapa, Teddy Gatyana, Mpho Tsima, Kagisho Miggels.