Women’s rugby in South Africa has taken another giant leap forward with Isuzu stepping up as the naming rights sponsor of the Bulls Daisies, the country’s only fully professional women’s rugby team. The announcement not only strengthens the brand’s long-standing relationship with the Blue Bulls Company but also represents a bold investment in the future of women’s sport.
For Thando Manana, Executive for Women’s Rugby & Strategic Projects at the Blue Bulls Company, this moment has been years in the making:
“It has taken us about two years to transform a partnership into a naming rights sponsorship. Isuzu saw the opportunity to align with our values and, most importantly, to lead in women’s sport.”
Blue Bulls Company Executive for Women’s Rugby & Strategic Projects, Thando Manana
“In South Africa, we are very grateful for a company like Isuzu to put their money where their mouth is. It shows we are doing something right at the Bulls and that gives us the opportunity to keep our programme professional and sustainable.”
The Daisies’ professional structure is already paying dividends, with players benefiting from salaries, medical cover, and access to world-class support through partners like Puma International.
Manana stresses that this investment has ripple effects beyond Pretoria: “A stronger domestic ecosystem benefits the national product. Our role is to feed the Springbok Women, whether in Fifteens or Sevens.”
“We want South Africa to move into the world’s top 10, that requires unions to step up, sponsors to come on board, and the system to work together. This sponsorship is a vital piece of that puzzle.”
For Springbok and Bulls Daisies star Jakkie Cilliers, the partnership is more than financial support, it provides identity, stability, and inspiration.
“Being part of Isuzu is quite special. Rugby brings people together from all walks of life, and having Isuzu as part of our journey gives us that identity we wanted. It’s a privilege to play in a professional environment where we can focus on the game and know we are supported – from medical aid to high-performance structures. That stability allows us to perform better on the field and inspire others off it.
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Cilliers, who recently represented South Africa against Canada, believes the Daisies’ professional environment is already bridging the gap between domestic and international rugby: “Training every day alongside fellow Springbok Women has made the transition much easier. We want to set an example so that other unions also buy in and give their players similar opportunities.”
“Professionalisation changes lives, from something as big as competing at the highest level to something as simple but essential as knowing you have medical aid and a safety net.”
Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies star Jakkie Cilliers
Isuzu’s commitment goes beyond visibility on the jersey. The sponsorship includes youth development programmes, community outreach, and flagship events like the upcoming Bulls Daisies Women’s Day Celebration.
“Our relationship with the Daisies began at their inception, and as they grow, we remain committed to standing by their side. This sponsorship is a reflection of our values and our belief in bold, dedicated partnerships that inspire positive change.”
Isuzu Marketing Executive, Ziphindiwe Ngcobo
For Manana, the broader challenge is ensuring that more unions and brands invest in women’s rugby: “I believe every company should allocate part of its sponsorship budget to women’s sport.”
“Boards need to ask the big questions and ensure their brands are truly inclusive. With more unions doing well and securing partners, the sport will thrive across the country – and by 2029, we could be telling a very different story about South African women’s rugby.”
The Bulls Daisies’ success already speaks volumes. Several players have graduated to the national team, proving that investment at the domestic level fuels international competitiveness.
As Manana sums it up: “We just want to run our lane and make sure we do well. If every union invests, the whole of South African rugby will benefit.”
With Isuzu’s backing, the Bulls Daisies are not only competing on the field, they are setting the standard for what women’s rugby in South Africa can become.
Main Photo Caption: SA’s only fully professional women’s rugby team, Bulls Daisies have signed a new Naming Rights sponsor with Isuzu, in a partnership that gives players the platform to thrive, while driving women’s rugby closer to global competitiveness. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Isuzu Marketing Executive, Ziphindiwe Ngcobo: “This sponsorship is a reflection of our values and our belief in bold, dedicated partnerships that inspire positive change.”
Photo 3 Caption: Springbok and Bulls Daisies star Jakkie Cilliers: “Rugby brings people together, and having Isuzu as part of our journey gives us that identity we wanted.”
