Bulls Daisies Beat WP in Loftus Thriller for 2025 Rugby Premier Division Title
The Bulls Daisies once again proved they have no peers on the provincial scene by beating DHL Western Province 46-31 in a pulsating Women’s Premier Division final that delivered 12 tries, with the champions from Pretoria defending the title they’ve held since 2023 under lights at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 29 March, 2025.
In a most thrilling of finals, the visitors delivered a very promising first half, going into half-time with the scores tied at 17-17, but once the Daisies made some adjustments in the second half, they broke clear to seal another well-deserved win.
DHL WP never stopped trying, their never-say-die commitment to the cause evident in the try in the match’s dying minutes—when all was lost already.
The Capetonians came to play, but the Daisies were also full of running early on. Ten minutes of all out action by the home side were needed to break down the DHL WP defence and when they finally found the space they needed, the impressive Faith Tshauke (No 8) crashed over.
Province’s early defence was good and they stopped a couple of lineout drives and attacks on the flanks, where dangerous wing Ayanda Malinga was given no space by WP’s alert tacklers.
However, the early composure the visitors showed was starting to disappear in the face of relentless attacks by the Bulls. They made heavy weather of basic play, like getting out of their red zone with sloppy passing, charged down kicks and lost lineout throws near their own line.
With no way to relieve the pressure, even when in possession, it was a matter of time for something to give and it did 17 minutes in when Jakkie Cilliers scored the first of her three tries from turnover ball near the WP line.
The Daisies outside centre crashed over to extend their lead to 10-0, with her second conversion attempt just missing the target despite a good strike.
That “soft try” almost refocused the visitors, who enjoyed a good couple of minutes and came within five metres of the Daisies’ line. Forcing the champions into some defensive errors reaped rewards when WP lock Mari Dalhouzie crashed over from a quick tap and a good run by Azisa Mkiva. Elme Kruger converted and the lead was down to three after 25 minutes.
The try sparked up the Daisies in turn, who kept the pressure from the restart, with no respite until Malinga was worked into space, where she scored the Daisies’ third try in just under half an hour. Cilliers added the conversion for a 17-7 lead.
DHL WP attacked well for a couple of minutes, but when these attacks were thwarted by determined Daisies defence, Kruger slotted a drop goal that dripped of class. The three points were good reward for a good spell of pressure placed on the Daisies.
That reaped more reward when Anuschka Groenewald intercepted a Byrhandre Dolf pass after the halftime hooter sounded when the Daises tried to run it from their own line after a good turnover. Kruger converted to square things up at the break.
Patience Mokone scored a peach of a try shortly after play resumed. Daisies captain Micke Gunter won a good turnover and her run created space on the outside and once the wing was fed the ball, there was no stopping the leading try scorer in the competition, who stepped inside and out to score. Cilliers converted and suddenly all the pressure was back on the visitors.
The Cape side lost fullback Donëy Filies due to a head knock early in the second half and to add more misery, Sanelisiwe Charlie finished a lovely lineout move with good variation. Lerato Makua won the ball, it was moved to the front of the lineout and there was no stopping Charlie from close range.
At 29-17 with 30 minutes left to play, things were looking ominous for the Capetonians. Cilliers scored her second on the stroke of the hour to extend the host team’s lead to 34-17 and from then on in, it was just a matter of by how much the Daisies will win by.
Voice Ndou would not have any of it though as she scored a great try on the counter-attack. The WP wing, who scored in last year’s final as well, raced in to dot down under the sticks and the conversion cut the Daisies’ lead to 10.
Malinga had a counter argument though and after some soft hands on her inside, the Bulls speedster struck and the score jumped to 39-24.
Cilliers, who had an off day with the boot, scored her third with six minutes to play after more good handling by the inside backs. She converted to push the Daisies’ lead to 46-24.
WP wing Leigh Fortuin, who had a productive afternoon with ball in hand, got the last try of the match, after the final buzzer, when she scored in the corner. Alicia Willemse kicked a lovely conversion, but the 46-31 scoreline was a fair reflection of the day’s action.
Final Result of the 2025 SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, on Saturday, 29 February, 2025
Bulls Daisies 46 (17) — 31 (17) DHL Western Province
Scorers
Bulls Daisies 46 (17) –
Tries: Faith Tshauke, Jakkie Cilliers (3), Ayanda Malinga (2), Patience Mokone, Sanelisiwe Charlie
Conversions: Cilliers (3)
DHL Western Province 31 (17) –
Tries: Mari Dalhouzie, Anushka Groenewald, Voice Ndou, Leigh Fortuin
Conversions Elme Kruger (2), Alicia Willemse (2)
Drop goal: Kruger
Bulls Daisies
15. Chuma Qawe
14. Patience Mokone
13. Jakkie Cilliers
12. Chumisa Qawe
11. Shaunique Alexander
10. Byrhandre Dolf (vice-captain)
9. Unam Tose
8. Faith Tshauke
7. Lerato Makua
6. Sizophila Solontsi
5. Anathi Qolo
4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana
3. Xolelwa Diliza
2. Micke Gunter (captain)
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements
16. Doreen Mkhabele
17. Yonela Ngxingolo
18. Asithandile Ntoyanto
19. Dineo Ndhlovu
20. Sophy Mashapa
21. Camelitha Malone
22. Libbie Janse van Rensburg
23. Maria Tshiremba
DHL Western Province
15. Donëy Filies
14. Leigh Fortuin
13. Shaundre Francke
12. Shaunique Hess (captain)
11. Voice Ndou
10. Elme Kruger
9. Lauren Adams
8. Logan Welman
7. Anelisiwe Mxabo
6. Anushka Groenewald
5. Nomsa Mokwai
4. Mari Dalhouzie
3. Azisa Mkiva
2. Luchell Hanekom
1. Nomkhita Chuba
Replacements
16. Bronishia Hess
17. Anuckha Ekron
18. Thandile Mazwi
19. Arzydia Komar
20. Zindiswa Xozwa
21. Lihle Mzimkhulu
22. Insaaf Levy
23. Alicia Willemse
Seventh Round Results on Saturday, 22 February
Bulls Daisies 96 (51), Free State Women 0
Golden Lions Women 22 (12), Sharks Women 33 (21)
DHL Western Province 32 (22), Sanlam Boland Dames 29 (12)
Seventh Round Result on Friday, 21 March
Border Ladies 27 – 22 EP Queens
Sixth Round Results, on Saturday, 8 March, 2025
Free State Women 12 (7), Border Ladies 26 (14)
Golden Lions Women 5 (0), Bulls Daisies 71 (35)
DHL Western Province 69 (38), EP Queens 5 (0)
Sanlam Boland Dames 59 (24), Sharks Women 10 (5)
Fifth Round Results, on Saturday, 28 February
EP Queens 31 (5), Golden Lions Women 24 (5)
Sharks Women 19 (7), DHL Western Province 29 (15)
Bulls Daisies 67 (38), Border Ladies 0 (0)
Free State Women 20 (20), Sanlam Boland Dames 92 (33)
Fourth Round Results, on Saturday, 15 February
EP Queens 14 (7), Free State Women 17 (12)
Golden Lions Women 25 (10), DHL Western Province 43 (31)
Border Ladies 13 (3), Sanlam Boland Dames 48 (36)
Bulls Daisies 69 (38), Sharks Women 5 (0)
Third Round Results, on Saturday, 8 February
Sanlam Boland Dames 22 (5), Bulls Daisies 50 (36)
DHL Western Province 29 (12), Border Ladies 12 (0)
Free State Women 31 (12), Golden Lions Women 26 (21)
Sharks Women 40 (19), EP Queens 7 (0)
Second Round Results, on Saturday, 1 February
Bulls Daisies 69 (29), DHL Western Province 0 (0)
Sharks Women 36 (22), Free State Women 30 (15)
Border Ladies 27 (10), Golden Lions Women 12 (7)
Sanlam Boland Dames 59 (26), EP Queens 5 (0)
First Round Results, on Saturday, 25 January
DHL Western Province 53 (22) – 13 (10) Free State Women
Border Ladies 17 (10) – 6 (6) Sharks Women
EP Queens 5 (0) – 90 (43) Bulls Daisies
Sanlam Boland Dames 57 (19) – 20 (6) Golden Lions Women
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Bulls Daisies beat DHL Western Province in a pulsating Women’s Premier Division final that delivered 12 tries, defending the title they’ve held since 2023 under lights at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 29 March, 2025. Photo: Bull Daisies
Photo 2 Caption: The Bulls Daisies proved once again they have no peers on the provincial scene in their 46-31 final victory. Photo: Bull Daisies
Photo 3 Caption: DHL Western Province delivered a very promising first half, going into half-time with the scores tied at 17-17. Photo: Bull Daisies
Photo 4 Caption: But once the Daisies made some adjustments in the second half, they broke clear to seal another well-deserved win. Photo: Bull Daisies
Photo 5 Caption: The stunning hat-trick of Premier Division wins rewards outstanding results by a truly championship side. Photo: Bull Daisies
Crédito: Link de origem