The Bulls Daisies welcome the Boland Dames to Loftus Versfeld for the first semi-final clash of the 2023 Women’s Premier Division competition. Coach, Hayden Groepes has only made forced changes to the side as his chargers look to secure a spot in the finals.
Groepes has lost experienced players in Sizophila Solontsi and Zintle Mpupha who miss out due to injuries sustained in the build-up to the clash.
“The injuries to Sizo (Sizophila Solontsi) and Zintle (Mpupha) are a blow because it is never nice to see your teammate get injured and probably more from a team morale standpoint because they have worked extremely hard throughout the season but these things happen in our sport,”
“You also feel for the person because we are so close to the end of the season, however we will continue to work hard towards the team goal and we know we can count on their experience even from the sidelines. We have one job on Saturday and that is to answer all the questions our opponents will be asking,”
“I am confident that if we continue to follow our systems and processes, we will be able to achieve more remarkable things but until then, it is important to not get carried away. We all look forward to great match.”
Solontsi’s injury has seen club captain, Lusanda Dumke move up to eight with Lerato Makua slotting into the flanker position occupied by her skipper the week before. Alongside Makua (left) will be Rights Mkhari (right) to complete the flank combination with Anathi Qolo and Vainah Ubisi pairing up at lock. In the front row, Micke Gunter (hooker) will be surrounded by the prop combination of Asithandile Ntoyanto (loose-head) and Yonela Ngxingolo at tight-head.
In the backline, Zintle Nonkosana is the only change made, coming in to pair up with Jacomina Cilliers at centre with Simamkele Namba (left wing), Ayanda Malinga (right wing) and Byhandre Dolf (fullback) forming the back three. The experienced duo of Rumandi Potgieter (scrum-half) and Libbie Janse van Rensburg (fly-half) will once again step onto the field at halfback.
The only other change of personnel to the matchday 23 that did duty the week before are Kyla De Vries and Unathi Mali who will get a run from the bench, alongside Xolelwa Diliza, Lebogang Ralebona, Rachelle du Plessis, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unam Tose and speed-queen Maria Tshiremba.
The Daisies bid to advance and remain undefeated in the competition will kick off at 12h30, on the B-field and will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport for those unable to make the trip.
BULLS DAISIES STARTING XV: 1. Asithandile Ntoyanto, 2. Micke Gunter, 3. Yonela Ngxingolo, 4. Vainah Ubisi, 5. Anathi Qolo, 6. Lerato Makua, 7. Rights Mkhari, 8. Lusanda Dumke (c), 9. Rumandi Potgieter, 10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vc), 11. Simamkele Namba, 12. Zintle Nonkosana, 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. Kyla De Vries, 21. Unam Tose, 22. Unathi Mali, 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
