Scottish second-row/back-row Fiona Cooper has joined the Isuzu Bulls Daisies in South Africa.
Cooper, who is from Freuchie in Fife, first took up rugby when she was about 16 and local club Howe of Fife started taster sessions for girls when she was a student at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar.
Since then she has had quite some rugby journey and has played for the Howe, St Andrews University, Ponsonby Rugby Club in New Zealand, Atlanta Harlequins in the USA, Corstorphine Cougars, Wasps and Trailfinders Women. She has also been in and around Scotland age-grade squads and the full wider squad at times over the years, but is uncapped at full level.
Now the next part of her journey will be in the Women’s Premier Division in rugby-mad South Africa and the 29-year-old said: “I am beyond excited to announce that I’ve signed with the Isuzu Bulls Daisies for the 2026 season.
“I am honoured to be joining such a strong programme and I am going to be proud to represent the Isuzu Bulls Daisies in Pretoria. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and the opportunity to grow and contribute within this squad.
“Life is short so I constantly try new things and I feel rugby culture is similar wherever you go.”
How did she end up at the Isuzu Bulls Daisies who have won the top flight title in their country in 2023, 2024 and 2025 then?
Well, she met assistant coach Bongi Nhleko while doing Laureus Sport for Good work in South Africa by helping to coach at the University of Johannesburg.
One thing led to another and she had a call with Thando Manana, the head of high performance and special projects at the Blue Bulls company, and things were fornalised from there.
Manana is delighted by the acquisition and said: “With her ability, her experience and her desire to succeed, Fiona will be a vital part of the Daisies’ plans for the upcoming season.
“I’m absolutely thrilled she has accepted the challenge to become the first player from Europe to play for the Isuzu Bulls Daisies.
“Fiona has an outstanding opportunity in Pretoria to be one of many players to leave a mark of the union’s long and rich history. She will learn about our rich team culture and our community-based fans.”
Fiona Cooper is pictured – thanks to the Isuzu Bulls Daisies