Janse van Rensburg to lead Springbok Women in Suva

Libbie Janse van Rensburg will become the 12th player to lead South Africa on the field since their first test against Wales in 2004 after she was named as captain of a much-changed Springbok Women match-23 when they take on Fijiana XV in Suva on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Janse van Rensburg is the only backline player who retains her place in the starting team from South Africa’s last test, against the USA Eagles Women in Pretoria on 12 July. Among the forwards, only Vainah Ubisi and Sizophila Solontsi will start again.

In total, 13 members from the match-23 at Loftus Versfeld are involved again, while Shiniqwa Lamprecht will make her test debut at centre. Two of her fellow Springbok Women's Sevens regulars, Patience Mokone, and Zintle Mpupha, will be starting for the first time this year.

Aseza Hele (No 8) and Lindelwa Gwala (hooker) will also don the green and gold for the first time since the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England last year.

In other changes to the pack, Lerato Makua will start at flanker, Nomsa Mokwai at lock, and Nombuyekezo Mdliki at tighthead prop after coming off the bench in Pretoria, while Anushka Groenewald, Yonela Ngxingolo, and Sinelitha Noxeke will again deliver impact as part of a bench containing six forwards and two backs.

Among the backs, Anacadia Minnaar and Maceala Samboya will earn starts after coming off the bench in Pretoria, while Alichia Arries and Catha Jacobs, starters at Loftus, are now on the bench.

Byrhandré Dolf, who was rested for the second test against the USA after playing in the Johannesburg opener, is also back and will start at fullback.

Prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo will make a first start since the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Nairobi, as will flanker Nobuhle Mjwara, who played off the bench in Kenya.

Springbok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said that while the squad may look vastly different from their last test, they will still play according to their traditional strengths and structures.

“The personnel are a bit different, but the mindset remains the same and I expect a solid effort from all those selected,” said Johannes-Haupt. “We had some good sessions since we arrived here, and we are looking forward to the challenge from Fiji.”

Johannes-Haupt was particularly pleased to see the 23-year-old Lamprecht make her test debut, having coached her in her last international match in fifteens, with the Junior Springbok Women in 2023.

“Shiniqwa did really well after that, moving to sevens, but I am very happy to see her back here,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“The sevens players selected for the weekend are now fully integrated with us and ready to resume their fifteens careers. We are looking for a significant contribution from all of them this weekend.”

She also welcomed the return of stalwarts Gwala and Hele. Gwala is the most experienced hooker ever in the green and gold, and will be playing in her 39th test, while Hele is all pumped up after being sidelined with injury.

“We all know what a charged-up Blommie (Hele) can do and I think we are going to see some very physical play from her, while Lindelwa’s strong basics will also be important in our set piece, as it’s an area where we look to stamp our authority,” said Johannes-Haupt.

The SA coach also gave a strong endorsement of Janse van Rensburg, in her first match as captain.

“Babalwa was not considered for this match as she is in the final days of a recovery plan, but we have full faith in Libbie, who as vice-captain was part of the leadership and decision-making anyway.

“She has the backing of a strong group of leaders in the squad, while at flyhalf, she is used to calling the plays and running the game anyway.”

The test at the HFC Bank Stadium in Fiji’s capital is scheduled to kick-off at 4am (SA time) on Saturday.

Springbok Women to face Fiji in Suva:

15 Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 64 points (7 tries, 13 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

14 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 8 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

13 Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) - 29 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)

12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames) - uncapped

11 Patience Mokone (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) - 3 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (captain, Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 219 points (14 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)

9 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 6 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)

8 Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 32 caps, 85 points (17 tries)

7 Lerato Makua (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)