Needs-matched life insurer, BrightRock, has announced an exciting new partnership with the ISUZU Bulls Daisies, South Africa’s first professional women’s rugby team and current leaders of the Women’s Premier Division.
Through its long-standing partnerships with the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, BrightRock has used rugby as a powerful platform to connect with fans across the country through its #LoveChange brand message. Now, as the new associate sponsor to the Bulls Daisies, the brand is extending its rugby family—a reflection of its passion for the game, its belief in the growing visibility of women’s sport, and its commitment to driving positive change in its industry and beyond.
“Partnering with the ISUZU Bulls Daisies was an easy decision for us, as we relate to their journey and their commitment to rewriting the rules of the game,” said Suzanne Stevens, CEO of BrightRock. “Just as BrightRock’s needs-matched life insurance product is a world-first, the ISUZU Bulls Daisies are paving the way for women’s rugby in the country, and on the world stage.”
Raising the Game for Women’s Sport
Interest in women’s sport is on the rise in South Africa, with national teams competing at the highest levels. From the recent international success of Banyana Banyana and the Proteas Women’s cricket team, to the anticipation surrounding the Springbok Women’s campaign at the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, the momentum is undeniable. This growing affinity is especially strong among female fans, with 32% reporting greater engagement in women’s sport than five years ago.
According to Brand Finance Africa, this shift in fan behaviour presents a golden opportunity for brands to connect with new audiences through a more personal, story-driven approach, one that highlights the people behind the teams. BrightRock’s own approach echoes this, sharing inspiring stories of change and offering science-backed tools and resources to help people navigate life’s big moments with confidence.
“Being a professional women’s rugby player in South Africa is about leading with strength and inspiring change,” said Zintle Mpupha, vice captain of the ISUZU Bulls Daisies. “This partnership recognises our ambition and our purpose, sending a powerful message to young girls everywhere: that we are valued, can lead, and that we have the ability to achieve extraordinary things, both on and off the field.”
A Winning Combination
The ISUZU Bulls Daisies are trailblazers, not only as South Africa’s first professional women’s rugby team, but also as dominant leaders in the Women’s Premier Division. Their determination and pioneering spirit mirror BrightRock’s own goal of transforming the life insurance market through solutions that precisely match people’s needs and evolve as their lives change.
In this context, rugby – and the bounce of the ball – becomes a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. Both BrightRock and the Bulls Daisies share the belief that with practice, skill, and resilience, it’s possible to navigate change and seize the opportunities it brings.
“The ISUZU Bulls Daisies are a groundbreaking force in rugby, committed to using rugby as a tool for change,” Stevens added. “They truly embody what it means to Love Change, and we’re incredibly proud to be playing the bounce with them and growing women’s rugby together with this special partnership.”
Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, echoed this sentiment: “The growth of the women’s game is one of the most important developments in South African sport, and the ISUZU Bulls Daisies have been at the forefront of that evolution. Partnering with BrightRock, a brand that shares our vision of empowerment and seizing opportunity, equips our players with the confidence and resources to excel, while supporting us to use rugby as a tool for change and connection.”
