It May be Impossible to Bet Against the Dominant Daisies

The Bulls Daises made it 13 in a row in their SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division campaign on Saturday when they outplayed Boland Dames in the first of two semi-finals to set up a home final against DHL Western Province next weekend after the Capetonians beat the Border Ladies in the other playoff.

This will be the first time the Daisies – who won their semi-final by 64-8 – will feature in the domestic final, while DHL WP have been there before, beating the Ladies by 27-15 to avenge their defeats to the Border side in the last two finals.

The Daisies continued their merry way in 2023 and scored 10 tries to secure their first final in the competition. They were put under some pressure by the Boland Dames at times, but had too much pace and guile for their southern opponents, who played in spurts.

The home side held a 31-5 lead at the break, with Ayanda Malinga and Jakkie Cilliers scoring sublime tries, amongst others. Although guilty of some laboured passing in the backs at times, the Daisies’ support play was exceptional and Boland, brave as they were, could not stop the women from Pretoria when in full flow.

The Daisies’ loose trio of Lerato Makua, Rights Mkhari and Lusanda Dumke provided continuity on attack and proved the ideal link between the pack and the backs.

Boland’s woes started at lineout time, where could hardly secure any possession, but credit to the team from the Winelands, as they refused to stop playing, even when the result was a forgone conclusion. They had a number of line breaks and their pick and go play was good, but overall, the just did not have the tools to get the job done.

DHL Western Province had to fight back at City Park in Cape Town to get past the determined Border Ladies, who won the title for the last two seasons.

The Eastern Cape side, using the strong wind in their backs in the first half, showed good composure and held a 7-5 lead at the break. That was extended to 10-5 early in the second half, but then everything fell apart for the visitors.

Province were starting to speed the game up and Border seemed to panic, resulting in a number of penalties and then yellow cards dished out by referee Angie Bezuidenhout. Three Ladies players were given their marching orders in quick succession and with 12 players against 15, the visitors just could not stop the momentum WP was gaining.

Tries by wings Alichia Arries and Donelle Snyders proved the difference in the end – both scored courtesy of their numerical advantage on the field – helped WP to progress to their third consecutive final.

Scorers:

Bulls Daisies 64 (31), Boland Dames 8 (5)
Daisies – Tries: Asithandile Ntoyanto, Micke Gunter, Lerato Makua, Rights Mkhari, Lusanda Dumke, Zintle Nonkasana, Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga (2), Unam Tose. Conversions: Byrhandre Dolf (3), Libbie Janse van Rensburg (4).
Dames – Try: Demi Nel. Penalty goal: Nel.

DHL Western Province 27 (5), Border Ladies 15 (7)
WP – Tries: Anelisiwe Mxabo, Alichia Arries (2), Chumisa Qawe, Donnelle Snyders. Conversion: Chuma Qawe.
Border – Tries: Snenhlanhla Shozi, Hope Gosling. Conversion: Siphenathi Yeko. Penalty Goal: Yeko.