Latest news with #BullsDaisies
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women prepare for challenging match against Kenya in Rugby Africa Women's Cup
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies scored a brace on debut for SA in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener against Uganda in Madagascar. Image: Backpagepix The Springbok Women's coaches have trusted in the team that started their Rugby Africa Women's Cup opener, to again get the job done against Kenya at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday (12om kick-off). The only change from the team that beat Uganda 62-7 is on the bench, where Nompumelelo Mathe will add impact as a loose-forward, with wing Nomawethu Mabenge missing out. The vote of confidence in the side that scored 10 tries in their opening round victory will be a boost. The extra player in the pack an indication that the team will not deviate from their forward-based game against Kenya, who opened their campaign with a good 28-5 win over Madagascar. It is also a sign of the physical challenge that the Bok Women, led by lock Anathi Qolo, expect from Kenya. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'We targeted a strong start in the first match and got that, so now the focus moves to the next one, against Kenya,' September said, after the opening round win. 'They scored a good win over Madagascar and are a physical side, so we will now get ready for that challenge on Wednesday.' The Bok Women's squad will have no uncapped players, unlike in their opening match when eight players ran out in the green and gold for the first time. One of those, Patience Mokone, celebrated her Test debut with two well-taken tries. 'It was a great feeling and an emotional one to walk onto the field, sing the national anthem and know that I am representing my country, but also my family on the international stage,' said Mokone. 'I was a bit nervous due to the occasion, but once I got settled in, it became just another match.' Powerful No 8 Faith Tshauke, who also scored a brace against Uganda on debut, was immense in that match and will take some stopping. Fullback Byrhandrè Dolf was also able to pull the strings for the Bok Women on attack. Unlike the inexperienced Cranes, the Kenyans are expected to be a serious challenge, but the Bok Women will be prepared, according to Mokone. 'This is our next job and we want to get it done," Mokone said. I have to focus on my role in the team and make sure I get that done. "It is not about me on Wednesday, it is about my contribution to the team. I have always played rugby that way, so nothing has changed,' she said. The Springbok Women have beaten the Kenya Lionesses in their last six matches, the latest result being a 63-5 victory in last year's edition of the tournament. That thrashing was preceded by a 77-12 mauling in Cape Town and 48-0 drubbing in Antananarivo in 2023. The Kenyans will, however, be buoyed by their recent triumphs over SA in the sevens arena, and will be hoping to replicate this form in the fifteens game. Although they have a healthy rivalry with Kenya, it will not distract from the focus of the defending champions.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Anathi Qolo embraces Springbok Women's leadership role ahead of Africa Cup
The Springbok Women are gearing up for a tough battle in the Africa Cup in Madagascar. Image: Henk Kruger, Independent Newspapers Springbok Women's skipper Anathi Qolo said being handed the armband for the 2025 Rugby Women's Africa Cup in Madagascar helped unlock hidden leadership potential. The Bulls Daisies lock will guide the SA team in the defence of their title at Stade Makis in Antananarivo that kicks off with Saturday's clash against Uganda (noon kickoff). Kenya and Madagascar are the other two teams taking part in the tournament. "I never thought that I have leadership skills in me until I got this opportunity to lead this brilliant pack," Qolo told Independent Media Sport exclusively this week. The number of experienced players included in the squad named on Friday will surely only help the new skipper find her feet. Qolo will captain a Springbok Women's side with a combined 174 caps in their opener against Uganda, with three uncapped players – Patience Mokone (wing), Faith Tshauke (No 8) and Anushka Groenewald (flanker) – included in the starting team for the Test at Stade Makis. A further five uncapped players have been named on the replacements' bench in props Anuchka Ekron and Sinothile Bhengu, lock Dineo Ndlhovu, flanker Nobuhle Mjwara and centre Leigh Fortuin. Fortuin and Mokone represented the Springbok Women's Sevens team earlier in the season, while all of the uncapped players, apart from Mjwara, also played for the Junior Springbok Women earlier in their careers. The Africa Cup squad of 28 trained under assistant coach Franzel September and Bafana Nhleko, while another group continued World Cup preparations under Springbok Women's performance coach Swys de Bruin and forwards coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt. "I'm happy with the preparations because the team has been progressing and focusing on the main job, which is to win Africa Cup," Qolo said. "Our set piece has been our main focus, together with our skillset. "Our biggest improvement has also been in the set piece because we've been focusing on that." Qolo is bracing for a fast and physical game, feeling it will take "effort, attitude and dedication" to retain their crown. "Heading to the World Cup it will mean a lot to me and my team as we're paving the way to a brighter future for South African rugby," she said. September agreed with his captain and said they are expecting a physical battle and some direct rugby. "What we saw in our analysis is that they are not scared to run with the ball, so there is an element of variety in their play, and they love doing quick taps from penalties,' he said. 'We prepared well and will be ready for everything they are going to throw at us.' The Springbok Women thrashed Uganda 63-3 in East London in September 2013 and 89-5 in Brakpan in August 2019. The Lady Cranes could be in for another torrid afternoon, with South Africa starting with five backs who represented the country at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in a sign of intent.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Patience Mokone set to shine in Springbok debut at Rugby Africa Women's Cup
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies will be hoping to make her Test debut for South Africa in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar. The odds on Springbok winger Patience Mokone enjoying another try-scoring international debut are pretty high for the flyer who can't seem to keep away from the opposition tryline, no matter the format. She did it on her Springbok Women's Sevens debut as South Africa beat Argentina in the final of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Poland. She also featured in the play-off tournament in Los Angeles that ended in heartbreak for SA in the HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament. Now, the 22-year-old Bulls Daisies wing has the chance to announce herself to the Test arena as part of the Springbok squad that will defend their Rugby Africa Women's Cup title in Madagascar. The Springbok Women face Uganda in the first of three Rugby Africa Women's Cup matches in Antananarivo on Saturday next week. Kenya and the hosts are the other teams competing. Mokone, the leading try-scorer in the Women's Premier Division this year, with 13 tries for the Daises, is blessed with blistering pace, offload ability, a wicked sidestep, strength, and reads the game well. She is a nightmare for any defender, as South Africa's continental rivals could soon discover should coach Swys de Bruin choose to unleash her in Madagascar. 'Yes, it has been a good couple of months for me,' Mokone said, beaming, as the squad went through their paces in Johannesburg, from where they will fly out to Madagascar on Wednesday. 'I was a bit surprised about the sevens call-up, to be honest, but not overawed, as I knew that I was well-prepared for any eventual call-up. It was nice to play in the green and gold and I am proud of how we played in Krakow and even Los Angeles, although the results did not go our way. 'It certainly made me want more, so now that I am in line to possibly make my debut for the fifteens team is another huge opportunity.'
IOL News
31-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Patience Mokone set to shine in Springbok debut at Rugby Africa Women's Cup
Patience Mokone of the Bulls Daisies will be hoping to make her Test debut for South Africa in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar. The odds on Springbok winger Patience Mokone enjoying another try-scoring international debut are pretty high for the flyer who can't seem to keep away from the opposition tryline, no matter the format. She did it on her Springbok Women's Sevens debut as South Africa beat Argentina in the final of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger tournament in Poland. She also featured in the play-off tournament in Los Angeles that ended in heartbreak for SA in the HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament. Now, the 22-year-old Bulls Daisies wing has the chance to announce herself to the Test arena as part of the Springbok squad that will defend their Rugby Africa Women's Cup title in Madagascar. The Springbok Women face Uganda in the first of three Rugby Africa Women's Cup matches in Antananarivo on Saturday next week. Kenya and the hosts are the other teams competing. Mokone, the leading try-scorer in the Women's Premier Division this year, with 13 tries for the Daises, is blessed with blistering pace, offload ability, a wicked sidestep, strength, and reads the game well. She is a nightmare for any defender, as South Africa's continental rivals could soon discover should coach Swys de Bruin choose to unleash her in Madagascar. 'Yes, it has been a good couple of months for me,' Mokone said, beaming, as the squad went through their paces in Johannesburg, from where they will fly out to Madagascar on Wednesday. 'I was a bit surprised about the sevens call-up, to be honest, but not overawed, as I knew that I was well-prepared for any eventual call-up. It was nice to play in the green and gold and I am proud of how we played in Krakow and even Los Angeles, although the results did not go our way. 'It certainly made me want more, so now that I am in line to possibly make my debut for the fifteens team is another huge opportunity.'
