The Bulls Daisies made it clear that they will not give up in their defence of the Women’s Premier Division title when they completely outplayed DHL Western Province in Pretoria on Saturday, while the Sanlam Boland Dames, Sharks Women, and Border Ladies all won their second-round matches.
After winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, the Daisies appear to have improved this year, defeating last year’s runners-up 69-0 at Loftus Versfeld B in Pretoria. They scored ten tries and were granted one penalty try.
It was a completely one-sided match, with the home team dominating in all parts of the game and seemingly scoring at will as injuries and weariness crippled WP’s defensive effort.
WP deserves credit for attacking from all angles, but the champions delivered a harsh performance that speaks well for their chances of reaching another final.
The Sharks Women won their first game of the season, defeating Free State Women 36-30 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park 2. The home team led 22-15 at halftime and maintained that advantage for the whole of the game.
The visitors recovered in the second half and were within a converted try of pulling off an upset, but the Durbanites’ game management was superb, and they could walk away winners.
The Border Ladies won their second home game, this time by 27-12 over the visiting Golden Lions Women, after leading 10-7 at the end of a tight first half at Baysville High School in East London.
Both packs of forwards had their moments in the game, creating good attacking space for their respective backlines, which replied in kind.
Border scored two early tries, but when Thobile Msizazwe found space, he finished a well-worked try in the right corner. Klarissa van der Linden made a solid conversion, cutting Border’s advantage to three.
However, the Ladies responded strongly in the second half, with Aphiwe Ngwevu and Eloise Webb scoring once more.
Sanlam Boland Dames defeated EP Queens 59-5 at the Boland Stadium in Wellington, putting on another great performance in front of their loyal fans.
The Dames led 26-0 at halftime, thanks to a hat-trick from scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs, and they maintained their lead in the second half.
The Dames’ backs were handicapped by a late change in their midfield combination with the departure of Veroeshka Grain, but once everyone settled in, it was all one way traffic.
Ruzanne George scored a second-half try for the Queens, making the journey from the east coast a little more comfortable.
Scorers:
Bulls Daisies 69 (29); DHL Western Province 0 (0)
Bulls tries: Lusanda Dumke, Faith Tshauke, Ayanda Malinga, Chumisa Qawe, Patience Mokone (2), Xolelwa Diliza, Sophy Matshapa, Chuma Qawe, Shaunique Alexander, and a penalty try. Jakkie Cilliers converted six times.
Sharks Women 36 (22); Free State Women 30 (15)
Sharks’ tries: Nomonde Mbanjwa, Snethemba Mzimela, Kwanele Zungu, and Ulender Khumalo (2). Anesipho Malgas converted twice, as did Mary Zulu. Malgas scored a penalty.
Free State – Tries: Neidene Solomons, Bernice Strydom, Chante Olivier, and Ziyanda Gqontshi. Conversions: Strydom and Inge Sander. Sander scored two penalty goals.
Border Ladies (27/10), Golden Lions Women (12/7).
Border – Tries: Bridgette Coetzee, Eloise Webb, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, and Chuma Delubom. Conversion: Zintle Holofela.
Lions tries: Tshegofatso Lekganyane and Thobile Msizazwe. Conversion by Klarissa van der Linden.
Sanlam Boland Dames 59 (26), EP Queens 5(0)
Boland tries: Felicia Jacobs (3), Theresa Ruiters (2), Lulu Tyibilika (2), Nomawethu Mabenge, and Maceala Samboya. Conversions: Lara Schats(7).
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