The Bulls Daisies travel to Alberton Rugby Club to take on the Mastercard Golden Lions in round 14 of the 2023 Women’s Premier Division competition. The trip to the East Rand is the final fixture before coach Hayden Gropes’ team hosts a home semi-final the following weekend.
The Jukskei derby at Elandsfontein Drive will kick off at 13h00.
Gropes’ has only made two changes to his starting xv that did duty against Province a week ago. Speed Queen, Simamkele Namba and dynamic back Shiniqwa Lamprecht will both get a start. Lamprecht will pair up with Jacomina Cilliers at centre whilst Namba (left) will have Ayanda Malinga at the right wing. SSG Players Player of the Year, Byrhandre Dolf will get another start at fullback.
Rumandi Potgieter will have the ‘Backline Player of the Year’ in Libbie Janse van Rensburg as partner at halfback whilst the forwards pack remains unchanged. Asithandile Ntoyanto, Micke Gunter and Yonela Ngxingolo will be in the front row, supported by Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo at lock. Lusanda Dumke (captain) will have Rights Mkhari – the ‘ISUZU Bulls Daisies Player of the Year’ – for company in the back row with Sizophila Solontsi at eight.
‘Forward Player of the Year’ Sinelitha Noxeke will get a run from the bench as she joins Xolelwa Diliza, Lebogang Ralebona , Rachelle du Plessis , Thandeka Showngwe, Unam Tose, Zintle Nonkosana and Maria Tshiremba on the impact squad.
Looking at the fixture ahead, Groepes said: “We aren’t getting carried away and are just focusing on the match before us. It has been a long season but we are sticking to processes and as long as we do the basics right, we have no reasons to lose hope in what we want out of this season,”
“The ladies have had another intense week of training and truly are doing well to keep both their feet on the ground. For us, this is not a dress rehearsal for the next phase of the tournament because we know that every match comes with its own dynamics. We know the Lions will be a challenge and we will have to be at our best to get the result that we need.”
BULLS DAISIES STARTING XV: 1. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 2. Micke Gunter, 3. Yonela Ngxingolo, 4. Vainah Ubisi, 5. Anathi Qolo, 6. Lusanda Dumke (c), 7. Rights Mkhari, 8. Sizophila Solontsi, 9. Rumandi Potgieter, 10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vc), 11. Simamkele Namba, 12. Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 13. Jacomina Cilliers, 14. Ayanda Malinga, 15. Byhandre Dolf
BULLS DAISIES IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Xolelwa Diliza, 17. Lebogang Ralebona , 18. Rachelle du Plessis , 19. Sinelitha Noxeke, 20. Thandeka Showngwe, 21. Unam Tose, 22. Zintle Nonkosana, 23. Maria Tshiremba
MANAGEMENT: Hayden Groepes – Head Coach, Mandisa Williams – Assistant Coach, Dr. Sbu Ntuli – Team Doctor, Karabo Morokane – Physiotherapist, Lenel Allison – Physiotherapist, Tayla Chidrawi – Strength & Conditioning, Nokuthula Nene – Technical Analyst, Luyolo Tandani – Logistic Manager, Swazi Bisset – Partnerships Manager, Thando Manana – Women’s High-Performance Manager
