Daisies boosted by Ubisi clearance

The Bulls Daisies have been given a boost by the clearance of lock forward Vainah Ubisi (who was shown red in Bloemfontein) as the Tshwane ladies prepare to welcome the EP Queens in round three of the 2024 Women’s Premier Division at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The clash kicks off at 11am.

The Daisies have also tweaked the side, both at the back and the front row as Hayden Groepes prepares for the international season where he will be without the service of his internationals.

“This group has faced a lot of challenges together considering the players we have and the two international windows that have come across us. We missed players for the UK tour and in the coming weeks we will be missing eight players to international obligations which takes away a bit of cohesiveness in the group.

“We do trust our preparations and we trust that all the players in this group that remain behind during this period will be able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.”

Asithandile Ntoyanto (loosehead), Xolelwa Diliza (hooker) and Rachelle du Plessis (tighthead) will lace their boots in the front row with Ziyanda Ngohlekana and Busisiwe Crafford behind them at lock. Skipper, Lusanda Dumke (blindside) and Sophy Mashapa (openside) alongside Sizophila Solontsi (eight) will complete the forward pack.

Mahlatse Lucky Nkhumishe moves to the scrumhalf role, pairing up with Unam Tose (flyhalf) at half back. Behind them will be Unathi Mali (left wing) with Zintle Nonkosana (inside) and Jackie Cilliers (outside) combining at centre. Patience Mokone will run out at right wing with Byrhandre Dolf staying at fullback once more.

Karabo Lebotsa, Doreen Mkhabela, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Vainah Ubisi, Faith Tshauke, Rumandi Potgieter, Naima Hlatshwayo and Chantel Dikgale will all form part of the impact squad as the Tshwane team looks to make it four from four.

The Daisies will be running out at Loftus for the first time this season in a landmark fixture which SuperSport will broadcast with a full VURC camera setup. This is a first for a South African women’s provincial rugby game which will be the curtain-raiser to the Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys fixture.

“It is great to be at home and a unique opportunity to play in a televised game which is great for growing the women’s game in South Africa,” said Gropes.

“We need the exposure for the nation to see the product we have in players and the product we have as franchises. I can only hope that through these televised fixtures we can win the hearts of not only the fans but corporate South Africa and begin to see financial injection into the domestic women’s game.”

The Daisies mentor said he is relieved that Ubisi has been cleared but the decision on the lock came a bit late to have her start. “It is a bit of late notice so she finds herself on the bench but it is great that she has been cleared and that she is available for our match this weekend and going forward.”

On rotation and player management he added: “Due to the international schedule over the next couple of weeks as well as rotation, we have made some unforced changes to make sure that there is good opportunity within the group to get game time and make sure that we can keep all our players sharp.”

On getting his side ready for the Eastern Cape side, he added: “Our preparations have gone well this week, we had a really good week in terms of having most of our squad available and we are really looking forward to this match,”

“We expect they (EP) will come prepared to fight us for the points and it should be a great match for all of us.”

BULLS DAISIES v EP QUEENS STARTING XV: 1. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 2. Xolelwa Diliza, 3. Rachelle du Plessis, 4. Ziyanda Ngohlekana, 5. Busisiwe Crafford, 6. Lusanda Dumke (c), 7. Sophy Mashapa, 8. Sizophila Solontsi, 9. Mahlatse Lucky Nkhumishe, 10. Unam Tose, 11. Unathi Mali, 12. Zintle Nonkosana, 13. Jackie Cilliers, 14. Patience Mokone, 15. Byrhandre Dolf

BULLS DAISIES IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Karabo Lebotsa, 17. Doreen Mkhabela, 18. Sanelisiwe Charlie, 19. Vainah Ubisi, 20. Faith Tshauke, 21. Rumandi Potgieter, 22. Naima Hlatshwayo, 23. Chantel Dikgale

BULLS DAISIES MANAGEMENT: Hayden Groepes - Head Coach, Aschin Klein - Assistant Coach, Thando Manana - Manager, Dr. Sbu Ntuli - Team Doctor, Karabo Morokane & Lenel Allison - Physiotherapist(s), Tayla Chidrawi - Strength & Conditioning, Luyolo Tandani - Logistics Manager, Swazi Bisset - Partnerships Manager, Akusenani Khumalo - Team Manager