The 2025 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division competition returns after a week-long break. The defending champions, the Bulls Daisies, will welcome Border Ladies for round five at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.
The visitors – who sit sixth on the log – and their hosts in first place will kick off at 12h00, and tickets start from R 100.00c from Ticketpro. A ticket reserves a seat to the Daisies match and the North-South derby later in the afternoon.
On the field, Daisies mentor Hayden Groepes has made minor adjustments to his matchday 23, which sees a return to action for the Qawe sisters and Shaunique Alexander. There will be first runs in the current campaign for scrumhalf Mahlatse Nkumishe, seasoned campaigner Asithandile Ntoyanto, and loose forward Lerato Makua, who returns to action after a lengthy time off.
Chumisa Qawe will start in her regular role at inside centre alongside Jakkie Cilliers, who will be on the outside. The centre pairing will be flanked by Alexander on the left wing and Patience Mokone on the right. Skipper, Libbie Janse van Rensburg slots in at full-back to complete the backline that is led by Unam Tose (scrumhalf) and Byrhandre Dolf (flyhalf) at halfback.
Up at the front, Yonela Ngxingolo shifts to the left of the front row whilst her fellow Springbok, Sanelisiwe Charlie moves to the right with Xolelwa Diliza slotting in between the two. Anathi Qolo moves back to her prominent lock role where she pairs up with Ziyanda Ngohlekana whilst the bulldozing Sizophila Solontsi and Faith Tshauke combine at loose forward and Sophy Mashapa completes the forwards pack at eight.
Groepes has gone with a five-three split impact squad that sees Chumisa’s sister, Chuma Qawe, as well as the returning Makua, Ntoyanto and Mahlatse Nkumishe. The Daisies mentor will also have the likes of Karabo Lebotsa, Doreen Mkhabele, Busisiwe Crafford and Zintle Nonkasana to call on should the match situation need.
BULLS DAISIES vs BORDER LADIES STARTING XV: 1. Yonela Ngxingolo, 2. Xolelwa Diliza, 3. Sanelisiwe Charlie, 4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 5. Anathi Qolo (vc), 6. Sizophila Solontsi, 7. Faith Tshauke, 8. Sophy Mashapa, 9. Unam Tose, 10. Byrhandre Dolf, 11. Shaunique Alexander, 12. Chumisa Qawe, 13. Jakkie Cilliers, 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (c)
BULLS DAISIES IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Doreen Mkhabele, 18. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 19. Busisiwe Crafford, 20. Lerato Makua, 21. Mahlatse Nkumishe, 22. Zintle Nonkasana, 23. Chuma Qawe
BULLS DAISIES MANAGEMENT: Hayden Groepes – Head Coach, Bongiwe Nhleko – Assistant Coach, Zenay Jordaan – Assistant Coach, Nokuthula Nene – Technical Analyst, Dr. Sbu Ntuli – Team Doctor, Lenel Bellingan & Monyaduwe Motsele – Physiotherapists, Owethu Sityata – Strength & Conditioning, Luyolo Tandani – Logistics Manager, Obriel Maposa – Social Media Officer, Akusenani Khumalo – Team Manager