Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Bulls Daisies made history on Wednesday after confirming their 35-member squad comprising the first women rugby players to be given professional contracts in South Africa.
The union signalled its intention to shake up the women’s rugby landscape in February this year and has now confirmed the contracted squad from this year to 2025.
The squad, which comprises numerous notable Springboks such as Zintle Mpupha, the first South African woman to play in England, two-time title-winning 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 Elizabetha ‘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 last year’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, including former Sharks Women loose-forward Sizophila Solontsi and exciting former Border No 9 Unam Tose.
“Bringing athletes from an amateur to a professional standard comes with changing the mindset of the individual first and foremost,” said Daisies head coach Hayden Groepes.
“Our ladies have shown a desire to want to improve themselves as athletes and that brings massive joy in witnessing first-hand what growth and development looks like.”
The Daisies begin their Inter-Provincial League (IPL, formerly Women’s Premier Division) against two-time defending champions, Border, on Saturday, where Dumke will face the women she led to victory over Western Province in the final for two years straight.
Dumke was also named co-Daisies captain with Janse van Rensburg.
The Bulls recruited former Border team manager and ex-Springbok captain Mandisa Williams to be Groepes’ assistant coach.
“I get this unique opportunity to transfer expert knowledge and share past experiences for developing mental strength so that we have confident players in our team. This is a new dawn for women to pave the way for future stars in our sport,” said Williams.
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