The Free State Women won their first Women’s Premier Division match of the new season in dramatic fashion in Bloemfontein on Saturday, while the Bulls Daisies, DHL Western Province and the Sharks Women also scored significant victories in round three of the competition on Saturday, 8 February 2025.
The Free Staters left it late to edge the Golden Lions Women 31-26 at Toyota Stadium, with a last minute try the ultimate reward, while the Sharks Women scored six tries in Pietermaritzburg to outplay the EP Queens 40-7, with the win moving them into second spot on the log.
Sanlam Boland Dames, who was undefeated going into the round and in second place, were mauled by the Bulls Daisies in a hot Wellington, with the home side going down 50-22 at Boland Stadium.
The Daisies are now the only undefeated team left in the competition, as Border Ladies also came up short in Cape Town, where they were outplayed 29-12 by DHL Western Province.
The Daisies were out the blocks in their top-of-the-table clash in brilliant fashion, scoring five tries in the opening 30 minutes as Boland had no answer to the all-round attack from the defending champions.
They opened the scoring in the second minute when Sizophila Solontsi dotted down, with the industrious flanker also scoring her second on the half hour mark after Faith Tshauke, Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Micke Gunter all ran in tries.
Credit to the Dames though, who not only scored the final try of the half, but also the next 17 points of the second half after they managed to sort out their line-out woes, hold on to possession and move the ball to their outside backs, who scored three tries.
The last waltz belonged to the Daisies though, as they stepped on the gas again and romped away with two more tries and yet another 50 points scored.
DHL Western Province bounced back nicely from last weekend’s defeat to outplay Border Ladies in a five tries to two victory at Hamiltons RFC in Green Point. Their set piece worked well in the first half and Thandile Mazwi drove over the line just over 20 minutes in to take a well-deserved lead. Donëy Fillies then finished off a good counter-attack to hand the Capetonians a 12-0 lead at the break.
Province had a great start in the second half, scoring three more tries as they secured the bonus point win. Border rallied late, scoring two tries, but by then, the win was securely in the bag for the hosts.
A try in the 79th minute by Vuyelwa Mosala secured the Free State Women a dramatic first win in the competition. The five-pointer concluded a tight encounter, where the home side had to come back from behind twice for the victory.
The visitors from Johannesburg looked all set to seal the game at the break as they held a comfortable 21-12 lead, but the Free State bench made a crucial impact, as the home side fought back well and took the lead in the 70th minute when Treidine Solomons barged over.
The Lions rallied to score three minutes later through their finishing expert Thobile Msizaswe to level the scores, only for Mosala to secure the win in the last minute.
The Sharks delivered a solid performance against the EP Queens in Pietermaritzburg. They controlled most of the game and used their territorial dominance and possession well.
Three first half tries confirmed their dominance and although the Queens scored first in the second half, the comeback was thwarted quickly with three more tries by the hosts. Mary Zulu scored 15 points and will be pleased with her running of the Sharks game.
Results for the Third Round of the 2025 Women’s Premier Division, on Saturday, 8 February
Sanlam Boland Dames 22 (5), Bulls Daisies 50 (36)
Boland – Tries: Nomawethu Mabenge, Theresa Ruiters, Lulu Tyibilika, Macaela Samboya
Conversion: Lara Schats
Bulls – Tries: Zintle Mpupha, Faith Tshauke (2), Sizophila Solontsi (2), Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Micke Gunter, Xolelwa Diliza
Conversions: Jakkie Cilliers (5)
DHL Western Province 29 (12), Border Ladies 12 (0)
WP – Tries: Thandile Mazwi, Lauren Adams, Luchell Hanekom, Donëy Filies, Mari Dalhouzie
Conversions: Kirsten Conrad (2)
Border – Tries: Aviwe Hlongwana (2)
Conversion: Khanya Ketani
Free State Women 31 (12), Golden Lions Women 26 (21)
Free State – Tries: Monique Reens (2), Monique Smith, Treidene Solomons, Vuyelwa Mosala
Conversions: Thamie Yako (3)
Lions – Tries: Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Sinalo Honono, Siyonela Macamba, Thobile Msizazwe
Conversions: Klarissa van der Linden (3).
Sharks Women 40 (19), EP Queens 7 (0)
Sharks – Tries: Nobuhle Mjwara, Mary Zulu, Kwanele Zungu, Owami Zikhali, Nomonde Mwanja, Nontobeko Mathupha
Conversions: Zulu (5)
EP – Try: Amber Olivier
Conversion: Yandisa Nobanda
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 Free State Women recorded their first win of the season in the Women’s Premier Division as they got the better of the Golden Lions Women on Saturday, 8 February, 2025. Photo: Gallo Images via SA Rugby
Photo 2 Caption: The Bull Daisies remain the team to beat as they chalked up another win in the Women’s Premier division, this time against the Boland Dames. Photo: Bull Daisies
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