Bulls Daisies v Western Province - teams and prediction
FINAL: The Bulls Daisies are the favourites when they host Western Province Women in the Final of the Premier Division on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
The Daisies not only finished top of the standing but also delivered exceptional performances during the season.
They have upped the standards of the women’s game considerably when they tuned professional last year, and their results are a clear roadmap to success for others to follow suit.
Apart from one defeat earlier this year, the team from Pretoria have won every match in the last two seasons, but who else to throw a spanner in the works than Western Province, the only team to have beaten the Bulls.
The Capetonians snapped the Daisies’ 19-game winning streak in May when they outplayed them 22-14 in Cape Town, scoring four tries to two in the process.
More important for the home side though, would be the return match, when the Daises were rampant in their revenge, winning 59-21 three weeks ago in Pretoria, scoring nine tries to three.
In fact, WP seem to have problems playing in Pretoria as they lost last year’s Final 8-69 and 5-43 in their league match at the same venue.
Western Province coach Stanley Raubenheimer will no doubt have a plan to charge up his troops as they will be up against a very well-drilled side stacked with national players. Amongst them will be Jakkie Cilliers, who is on a record-scoring spree this season.
The Springbok Women outside centre has already scored 172 points this season, which include 61 conversions and 10 tries, but she is only one of a handful of players in devastating form for the Daisies.
Expect the unexpected from WP, who have some of the best broken-field runners in the competition, with Voice Ndou, the leading try-scorer (16 tries), a particular threat to the Daisies out wide.
For the Bulls, Lusanda Dumke leads a formidable side.
Dumke forms part of a forward pack that assembles Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xolelwa Diliza and Yonela Ngxingolo at front row with Vainah Ubisi and Sinelitha Noxeke combining at lock. The skipper will be alongside Faith Tshauke on the flank whilst Sophy Mashapa will slot in at eight.
At halfback, Rumandi Potgieter starts at scrumhalf with Unam Tose nearby at flyhalf. Behind the duo will be speedsters, Unathi Mali at left wing and Patience Mokone on the right-hand side of the park. Zintle Nonkasana provides cover and direction at fullback with the semifinal Chumisa Qawe (inside centre) and this season’s top points scorer Jakkie Cilliers (outside centre) pairing up at midfield.
The Daisies have assembled a five-three split impact squad which features Micke Günter, Asithandile Ntoyanto, Lebogang Ralebona, Ziyanda Ngohlekana, Anathi Qolo, Mahlatse Nkhumishe, Sesihle Maguga and Naima Hlatshwayo who all will be on standby to help their team get over the line.
WP Women will be captained by flyhalf Sesethu Mtshazi.
Right wing Asiphe Mayaba comes into the starting lineup with Alichia Arries ruled out through injury.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s First Division, the SWD Eagirls overcame all challenges and won all six of their league matches as well as their semifinal and will be looking for eight on the trot when they host the Leopards Women in the Final at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday afternoon.
One of those wins was a 31-14 victory against the Leopards at the same venue in round two of the league phase. The two sides also met in the Final of the competition in 2022, when the Eagirls won 36-14 in Potchefstroom.
SWD lost last year’s Final against the Free State Women, but looking at their current form, they could reclaim the trophy on Friday.
The Eagirls have by far been the most attacking team in the competition, scoring 50 tries in their six matches. Three SWD players are also the leading try-scorers in the tournament, with wings Shannon Lee Windvogel and Chante Jonck who dotted down 10 times each, and utility back Shannon Pieterse, who scored eight tries.
Keeping that backline in check will be key for the Leopards if they want to claim the title. The Potch team scored 31 tries in their six matches, with No.8 Teddy Gatyana dotting down six times, but it will rather be their defensive effort that will be needed to win this one for them.
The Leopards have some experienced campaigners, with former Springbok Women back Verana van Heerden providing massive input from fullback and Vianca Boer very industrious on attack, but stopping the gifted ball runners from the Southern Cape will be a massive challenge.
Bulls Daisies v Western Province
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Bulls Daisies by 15 points
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Zintle Nonkasana, 14 Patience Mokone, 13 Jakkie Cilliers, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Unathi Mali, 10 Unam Tose, 9 Rumandi Potgieter, 8 Sophy Mashapa, 7 Faith Tshauke, 6 Lusanda Dumke (captain), 5 Sinelitha Noxeke, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Yonela Ngxingolo, 2 Xolelwa Diliza, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Günter, 17 Asithandile Ntoyanto, 18 Lebogang Ralebona, 19 Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 20 Anathi Qolo, 21 Mahlatse Nkhumishe, 22 Sesihle Maguga, 23 Naima Hlatshwayo
Western Province: 15 Doney Filies, 14 Asiphe Mayaba, 13 Shaunique Hess, 12 Megan Kannemeyer, 11 Voice Ndou, 10 Sesethu Mtshazi (captain), 9 Alicia Willemse, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Anelisiwe Mxabo, 6 Lihle Mzimkhulu, 5 Zandiswa Xozwa, 4 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 3 Thandile Mazwi, 2 Roseline Botes, 1 Anelisa Ndamase.
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anushka Ekron, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Mari Dalhouzie, 20 Bronishia Hess, 21 Camelitha Malone, 22 Shameila Muller, 23 Donelle Snyders.
Date: Saturday, August 10
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT)
Referee: Aneka Fick
Source: SA Rugby