The Bulls Daisies scored an emphatic victory over DHL Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten status in the Women’s Premier Division after six rounds, while the Boland Dames finally broke their duck with a pulsating win over EP Queens in Wellington.
In Johannesburg, the Border Ladies scored a second win on the road by edging the Mastercard Golden Lions Women to stay second on the log.
The Daisies remained in first spot on the log with a 41-0 victory as they proved far too slick for a DHL WP side that could not match their visitors in any department of the contest at City Park in Cape Town. Province not only suffered their biggest defeat to the team from Pretoria, but it was also their biggest home defeat in a game that clearly illustrated the divide between the Daisies and the rest.
Springbok Women wing Simamkele Namba scored three tries for the Daisies as their backline managed to find space on the outside time and again. The Bulls scored twice in the first half to take a 15-0 lead, and further dominated proceedings in the second half, especially once the bench was called upon, with national team players Rumandi Potgieter and Rights Mkhari delivering decisive contributions.
It was a close affair in Wellington, where the EP Queens rallied late but could not overhaul the Boland Dames, who bagged a full house of log points in their 31-28 victory, their first in the 2023 tournament.
Boland started strongest and thanks to a dominant scrum, had most of the possession and an 16-8 lead at the break.
The Queens came storming back into the match, while a jittery Boland team – with Springbok No 8 Aseza Hele again prominent on attack – battled the Queens’ onslaught and held their nerves to close out the match.
The Mastercard Golden Lions Women again showed sustained improvement in a hard-fought match against the Border Ladies, who just had too much of the big plays in the game, and that proved crucial in their 27-20 victory.
The defending champions from Border scored three times in the first half and looked in control, but the second half was a much closer affair at Pirates Rugby Club, with both teams getting over the tryline twice.
Scoring summaries:
Bulls Daisies 41 (15), DHL Western Province 0 (0)
Bulls Daisies – Tries: Sizophila Solontsi, Simamkele Namba (3), Jakkie Cilliers, Rights Mkhari. Conversions: Bryhandrѐ Dolf, Libbie Janse van Rensburg (3). Penalty goal: Dolf.
Boland Dames 31 (16), EP Queens 28 (8)
Boland Dames – Tries: Aseza Hele (2), Tarren Munodaani, Lulu Tyibilika, Ondela Lungisa. Penalty goals: Munodaani (2).
EP Queens – Tries: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Monica Mazibukwana, Yolanda Ntibane, Thando Hena, Johnerecia Booysen. Penalty goal: Zaza Nojoko.
Mastercard Golden Lions Women 20 (10), Border Ladies 27 (17)
Mastercard Golden Lions Women – Tries: Akhona Nkosi, Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen, Zumicke Geringer. Conversion: Marlene Axsel. Penalty goal: Axsel.
Border Ladies – Tries: Felicia Jacobs (2), Yandisa Nobanda (2), Snenhlanhla Shozi. Conversion: Nobanda.
Women’s First Division:
In the opening round of the First Division, there were wins for SWD Eagirls, Leopards, Free State Women and Griquas Women, with the team from Bloemfontein starting their season with a century of points.
The Eagirls, who are the defending First Division champions, started their campaign in perfect style by beating the Valke Women 78-0 in George on Saturday, with wing Shannon-Lee Windvogel scoring four tries.
The Free State derby in Welkom between the Griffons Women and Free State Women was a one-sided affair as the visitors recorded a runaway 113-0 win. Former Springbok Women’s forward, Bernice Strydom, leading the Free State side from inside centre scored six tries, while Shandre Fouche converted 14 of their 16 tries.
Griquas Women opened their season with a commanding 38-17 win over Pumas Women in Kimberley with prop Nelly Skosana bagging a hat-trick of tries, and in Potchefstroom, the Leopards had to fight back to beat the Limpopo Blue Bulls Women. They were trailing 7-3 at the break, but three second half tries sealed a 22-12 win for the North West side.
Scoring summaries:
Griquas Women 38 (24), Pumas Women 17 (0)
Griquas Women – Tries: Nelly Skosana (3), Juanine Jacobs, Antoinette Kotze (2). Conversions: Vee Mosala (4).
Pumas Women – Tries: Nonhlanhla Ngwenya, Lindokuhle Seopela, Silindile Nyembe. Conversion: Siobhan Tenner.
SWD Eagirls 78 (45), Valke Women 0 (0)
SWD – Tries: Pamela Khumalo, Tereza Roberts, Euphinia Fillis, Amanda Klassen (2), Shannon-Lee Windvogel (4), Antoneica Hannies (2), Yolandi Sampson. Conversions: Sampson (3), Hannies (6).
Leopards 22 (3), Limpopo Blue Bulls Women 12 (7)
Leopards – Tries: Gabby Nwandulo, Teddy Gatyana, Mpho Tsima. Conversions: Lonika Maartens (2). Penalty goal: Maartens.
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women – Tries: Prudence Mataba, Jubrine Dube. Conversion: Evelyn Mkhabele.
Griffons Women 0 (0), Free State Women 113 (40)
Free State Women – Tries: Natasha Motlomelo, Kamohelo Makoele, Bernice Strydom (6), Elizna Greeff, Nomfundo Pampiri (2), Sne Mdletshe (3), Simone Ras, Smanga Dladla. Conversions: Shandre Fouche (14).
Sky Bully
Wilfred Rhodes took 4,204 wickets in First Class cricket.
Hex Panther
Sport Trivia: Who was the first black player to represent South Africa in rugby? Answer: Errol Tobias made his debut for South Africa on 30th May 1981, against Ireland at Newlands. South Africa won the match 23-15. He went on to win six caps between 1981 and 1984.