Queens in for tough clash with Daisies
EP’s Queens will bid to get back on the winning track when they face a powerful Bulls Daisies side in an SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division match at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele tomorrow (kickoff 1.30pm).
Last week the Queens had their crown jolted when they were beaten 18-8 by Border Ladies in a hard-fought clash at the De Wet Stadium.
The Daisies got their campaign off to a bright start when they beat defending champions Border 31-0 in their opening match in Buffalo City two weeks ago.
The Daisies made history at the start of the season with the announcement that their 35member squad were the first women rugby players to be given professional contracts in SA.
The squad comprises numerous Springboks, such as Zintle Mpupha, two-time titlewinning ex-Border Ladies captain Lusanda Dumke, wingers Ayanda Malinga and Simamkele Namba, as well as front-rower Yonela Ngxingolo.
Having already had Springbok women on their roster, such as on-loan Saracens lock Catha Jacobs (who will join the Bulls in June), international flyhalf Elizabeth “Libbie” Janse van Rensburg and lock Rights Mkhari, the Daisies now form one of the most formidable women’s teams in SA.
A large contingent of the Daisies were part of the Springbok Women that played in 2022’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, including former Sharks Women loose-forward Sizophila Solontsi and former Border No 9 Unam Tose.
EP could not get going against Border, despite dominating the scrums, and too often dropped the ball.
They hardly sent the ball wide to the dangerous Nomawethu Mabenge, who scored EP’s only try.
Border held a 6-3 lead at the break after two penalty goals by fullback Siphenathi Yeko, with EP’s points coming from the boot of Raylene Noubos.
Mabenge’s try — when she held off two defenders to score in the corner — handed the Queens a two-point lead early in the second half, but that was it for the home side.
Their Eastern Cape opponents scored twice through Springbok Women’s Sevens wing Snenhlanhla Shozi, with Yeko converting one.
Saturday’s fixtures: Golden Lions v Boland Dames, Border Ladies v Sharks, EP Queens v Bulls Daisies.
Last week’s results: Boland Dames 7 Western Province 52, Sharks 17 Golden Lions 12, EP Queens 8 Border Ladies 18.