The Bulls Daisies lifted a fourth straight premier division title with Saturday's 36-15 victory over the Boland Dames at Loftus.
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The Bulls Daisies underlined their status as the undisputed queens of South African women’s rugby with a commanding 36-15 victory over Boland Dames in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Powered by a destructive scrum and clinical finishing, the Pretoria outfit claimed a fourth consecutive title to cap an unbeaten season that further entrenches their dominance of the domestic game.
From the outset, the Daisies imposed themselves physically, with their front row of Yonela Ngxingolo, Doreen Mkhabela and Azisa Mkiva setting the tone in the set pieces. Their superiority up front gave them a steady stream of possession and territory, leaving Boland with little option but to try and stretch play wide in search of opportunities.
Despite a brave and energetic effort from the visitors, they struggled to live with the intensity and accuracy of the hosts, who controlled the tempo throughout.
Captain Anathi Qolo led from the front with powerful carries, while wing Shaunique Alexander proved a constant threat out wide, finishing off two well-taken tries. Further scores from Zintle Mpupha, Lebogang Ralebona and Thobile Msizazwe ensured the Daisies maintained a healthy cushion on the scoreboard.
Even disruptions failed to slow the champions. They lost flanker Sizophila Solontsi early to a heavy collision and later saw influential playmaker Libbie Janse van Rensburg forced off in the second half. Yet their depth and composure ensured they never lost control.
Boland, chasing a maiden title, showed flashes of promise. Captain Aseza Hele carried strongly and led with determination, while tries from Felicia Jacobs and Maxene Valentine, along with the boot of Chloe Adams, kept them competitive. However, they were largely forced to feed off scraps against a disciplined Daisies defence.
The home side’s ability to maintain the intensity was further highlighted in the second half, where wholesale changes to the front row only reinforced their dominance, blunting any hopes of a Boland comeback.
Although the Daisies were not flawless, as handling errors and an inconsistent lineout disrupted their flow at times, they always had too much firepower for their opponents.
Having entered the final as overwhelming favourites after a season in which they averaged 10 tries per match, the only fully professional women's rugby team in the country lived up to expectations with another authoritative display.
As the final whistle sounded, the celebrations reflected more than just another title. This was a statement of sustained excellence from a team that continues to set the benchmark for women’s rugby in South Africa.