Defending Women’s Premier Division champions the Bulls Daisies secured a runaway victory on Saturday to kick off the 2025 competition, alongside first-round wins for Sanlam Boland Dames, DHL Western Province and Border Ladies on Saturday, 25 January, 2025.
The Daisies scored 14 tries in a 90-5 win over the EP Queens at the Wolfson Stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay; WP beat the Free State Women by 53-13 at False Bay Rugby Football Club in Cape Town; the Dames romped to a 57-20 win over the Golden Lions Women at Boland Stadium in Wellington; and the Border Ladies earned bragging rights in their East Coast showdown with the Sharks Women in a low scoring match, winning 17-6.
The Daisies proved far too slick for the Queens, who will be grateful that they won’t have to face the champions again for the rest of the year.
The Pretoria side used their forward dominance to good effect, with the rolling maul a big weapon, while in the second half, their bench provided even more impact.
It was a memorable day for wing Shaunique Alexander, who scored her first try for the Daisies, while her counterpart, Johnerecia Booysen, will be equally proud of her solo effort that provided the Queens with their solitary try.
Aseza Hele was on fire in Wellington, scoring five tries in their bonus point win over their visitors from Johannesburg. The Dames pack was in full control, and scrummed the Lions pack all around Boland Stadium, while their speedy backs executed well when in possession, scoring four tries.
Flyhalf Lara Schats enjoyed the day behind a dominant pack, and kicked six conversions.
The Border Ladies outscored their northern coastal neighbours by three tries to nil in East London, something new Sharks Women’s coach Jason Hector will not be pleased about.
The home side held a 10-6 lead at the break following two tries to two Mary Zulu penalty goals, and added another converted try in the second half, while the Durban side could not add any points.
DHL Western Province also enjoyed a productive day in Cape Town, where they had too much in their arsenal for their Bloemfontein visitors.
Wing Voice Ndou, their leading try scorer from last season, was at it again, scoring three of their nine tries on a hot afternoon where the WP pack dominated from the start.
The Free State Women were in the game until halftime, having scored two tries themselves but they had no reply when the home side upped the tempo in the second half.
Results for the First Round of the 2025 Women’s Premier Division, on Saturday, 25 January
DHL Western Province 53 (22), Free State Women 13 (10)
WP – Tries: Azisa Mkiva, Anushka Groenewald, Anelisiwe Mxabo (2), Voice Ndou (3), Shaunique Hess, Thandile Mazwi
Conversions: Sesethu Mtshazi (2), Elme Kruger (2)
Free State – Tries: Natasha Motlomelo, Alida Strydom
Penalty goal: Thamie Yeko
Border Ladies 17 (10), Sharks Women 6 (6)
Border – Tries: Aphiwe Ngwevu, Lilitha Vakalisa (2)
Conversion: Bridgette Coetzee
Sharks – Penalty goals: Mary Zulu (2)
EP Queens 5 (0), Bulls Daisies 90 (43)
EP – Try: Johnerecia Booysen
Bulls – Tries: Micke Gunter (2), Faith Tshauke (2), Byrhandre Dolf, Shaunique Alexander (2), Chumisa Qawe (2), Jakkie Cilliers, Patience Mokone, Zintle Nonkasana, Zintle Mpupha, Ayanda Malinga
Conversions: Cilliers (10)
Sanlam Boland Dames 57 (19), Golden Lions Women 20 (6)
Boland – Tries: Aseza Hele (5), Felicia Jacobs, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Macaela Samboya
Conversions: Lara Schats (6)
Golden Lions – Tries: Thobile Msizazwe (2)
Conversions: Klarissa van der Linden (2)
Penalty goals: Van der Linden (2)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Defending Women’s Premier Division champions the Bulls Daisies secured a runaway victory on Saturday to kick off the 2025 competition, alongside first-round wins for Sanlam Boland Dames, DHL Western Province and Border Ladies on Saturday, 25 January, 2025. Photo: Bulls Daisies
Photo 2 Caption: The Daisies used their forward dominance to good effect in the first half, while their bench provided even more impact in the second half. Photo: Bulls Daisies
Photo 3 Caption: DHL Western Province defended home honours against visitors, the newly-promoted Toyota Cheetah Queens. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo
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