The Bulls Daisies have cemented their status as the dominant force in South African women’s rugby, claiming their fourth consecutive premier division title with a 36-15 victory over the Boland Dames at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Powered by a destructive scrum and clinical finishing, the Pretoria outfit capped an unbeaten season, further entrenching their dominance of the domestic game. The team’s front row, comprising Yonela Ngxingolo, Doreen Mkhabela, and Azisa Mkiva, set the tone in the set pieces, giving the Daisies a steady stream of possession and territory.
Dominant Performance
From the outset, the Daisies imposed themselves physically, leaving Boland with little option but to try and stretch play wide in search of opportunities. Despite a brave and energetic effort from the visitors, they struggled to live with the intensity and accuracy of the hosts, who controlled the tempo throughout. Captain Anathi Qolo led from the front with powerful carries, while wing Shaunique Alexander proved a constant threat out wide, finishing off two well-taken tries.
Further scores from Zintle Mpupha, Lebogang Ralebona, and Thobile Msizazwe ensured the Daisies maintained a healthy cushion on the scoreboard. Even disruptions failed to slow the champions, as they lost flanker Sizophila Solontsi early to a heavy collision and later saw influential playmaker Libbie Janse van Rensburg forced off in the second half.
Composure and Depth
Yet, their depth and composure ensured they never lost control. Boland, chasing a maiden title, showed flashes of promise, with captain Aseza Hele carrying strongly and leading with determination. Tries from Felicia Jacobs and Maxene Valentine, along with the boot of Chloe Adams, kept them competitive, but they were largely forced to feed off scraps against a disciplined Daisies defence.
The home side’s ability to maintain the intensity was further highlighted in the second half, where wholesale changes to the front row only reinforced their dominance, blunting any hopes of a Boland comeback. Although the Daisies were not flawless, with handling errors and an inconsistent lineout disrupting their flow at times, they always had too much firepower for their opponents.
As the South African Rugby Union continues to grow and develop, the Daisies’ sustained excellence serves as a benchmark for women’s rugby in the country. Having entered the final as overwhelming favourites after a season in which they averaged 10 tries per match, the only fully professional women’s rugby team in the country lived up to expectations with another authoritative display.
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- Bulls Daisies won their fourth consecutive premier division title
- The team claimed a 36-15 victory over the Boland Dames
- The Daisies maintained an unbeaten season, dominating the domestic game
