Women’s Rugby Premier Division Concludes with High-Stakes Final Round
The Bulls Daisies have all but secured home ground advantage in the final of the 2025 Women’s Premier Division in Pretoria on 29 March, so most eyes will be on the Rosina Paarwater Stadium in Bellville, where the other finalist for this year’s title will be determined when the league phase concludes on Saturday.
DHL Western Province will host Sanlam Boland Dames in what can be seen as the semi-final in the shortened version of the competition, which was played over a single round this year, in order to assist the Springbok Women with their Rugby World Cup preparations.
The Dames (26 points) only need to draw this match to finish second, but very few sides would accept that gamble, and the visitors will be chasing a Western Cape derby victory at all cost.
The visitors from Boland can even sneak into top spot on the log, but for that to happen, they have to win with a try-scoring bonus-point and hope the Daisies don’t get any log points from their final league fixture, at home against the Free State Women.
For Western Province, currently on 25 points, a more adventurous approach might be needed as they need the win to finish in second place.
The two Western Cape sides are well matched, but the key will be in the Dames’ backline, where a number of Springbok incumbents are firing on all cylinders. Expect Aseza Hele to also be a significant influence. The Springbok No 8 has already scored 11 tries this season, and is one of the most influential players in the competition.
The WP side cannot be written off though. They are a classic example of resilience and off-the-cuff play, with strike runners such as Shaunique Hess and Voice Ndou clinical on any given day.
The Daisies need only one log point out of their round seven match against the Free Staters at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria to secure top spot for the third time in as many years. Given their dominance this season – they are on a perfect 30 log points from their six games – it seems a fait accompli that they will do so again.
The Bulls’ dominance lies in their pack and a game plan where their loose forwards are well utilised as attackers out wide, with heaps of tries as a result. The Free Staters are well-coached, but their lack of experience against a side with 19 international players will make it a tough mission in the capital.
The wooden spoon is at stake at Noordheuwel High School in Krugersdorp where the Golden Lions Women host the Sharks Women.
The Gauteng side came close on numerous occasions, but failed to seal the deal and face finishing at the bottom of the log. They have actually outscored their coastal opponents with 18 tries to 17 so they have the attacking abilities, especially when play is moved to Thobile Msizazwe, with the right wing having scored six tries in as many matches.
A big win will give the KZN team some reward for a season of what-ifs and few will be surprised if they deliver that one big performance that has been evading them thus far.
There were only bragging rights at stake in the Eastern Cape derby on Friday, and the Border Ladies came out on top, beating the EP Queens 27-22 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Friday afternoon, to kick off the final round.
Despite the match between these neighbours presenting the tightest of derbies, Border had enough left in the tank to maintain their fourth place on the log, ensuring that the Queens could not improve on their single victory this year, recently against the Golden Lions Women.
Final Round Fixtures for the 2025 Women’s Premier Division, on Saturday, 22 February
Bulls Daisies v Free State Women
Date: Saturday, 22 March
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 12h00
Referee: Angie Bezuidenhout
TV: SS Variety 1
Golden Lions Women v Sharks Women
Date: Saturday, 22 March
Venue: Noordheuwel High School, Krugersdorp
Kick-off: 12h30
Referee: Stiaan Marx
DHL Western Province vs Sanlam Boland Dames
Date: Saturday, 22 March
Venue: Rosina Paarwater Stadium, Bellville
Kick-off: 12h30
Referee: Richard Bruno
Live stream: Official Springboks YouTube
Final Round Result on Friday, 21 March, 2025
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 wait on Western Province and Boland Dames in their Western Cape derby to settle the second finalist of the 2025 Women’s Rugby Premier Division tournament, at Rosina Paarwater Stadium in Bellville on Saturday. Photo: Bull Daisies
Crédito: Link de origem