She has played and beaten Fiji in the biggest cauldron of women's sevens and now Shiniqwa Lamprecht has her eyes on another big prize against the Pacific nation – a first test cap for South Africa.
The 23-year-old was on the field when the Springbok Women’s Sevens outplayed their Fijian opponents 21-15 in their 11th-place match at the 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Paris, exactly two years ago.
That is a memory that she will always cherish, Lamprecht said on departure to Fiji as one of only two uncapped players in the Springbok Women squad, the other being fellow sevens player Maria Tshiremba.
For Lamprecht, who will be one of the options in the midfield when they face Fiji in an historic first test match in Suva next Saturday, it will be another dream come true if selected.
“I was a fifteens player before I was drafted into the sevens set-up,” she said.
“In fact, when I was selected for the Junior Springbok Women against Zimbabwe in 2023, my next goal was to make the XV's team by delivering consistent performances for my province (Isuzu Bulls Daisies).
“I then got called up into the sevens set-up and played there for two full seasons, something that I am really proud of as well.”
Lamprecht, who enjoys the physical side of the game, said playing sevens was a challenge early on, but on reflection it was the best for her career development.
“I like the physical part of the game and playing inside centre in fifteens does provide ample opportunities to do that,” she smiled.
“What I did learn from sevens though, was soft skills, my conditioning has improved, as did my skill set on defence, so looking back, it was a great opportunity to develop as a player. There is no doubt in my mind that I am a more complete player now and that I can take on the best fifteens has to offer.”
Lamprecht has played in 21 tournaments for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, so she is hardly a rookie when it comes to facing the best players in the world, and she will not be shy to offer an opinion, especially when it comes playing the Fijians.
However, on this trip – significant as it will be for her ambitions in the green and gold – it will be team first, the Pretoria native said.
“This tour will be tough, we have time zones to get used to, there are a number of flights before we get to Fiji, and they will be waiting for us, so it will not be easy,” said Lamprecht.
“For us to combat that is to do what is always best for the team and not what is best for yourself. If we manage to stay connected as a team, on and off the field, we will have a common purpose and things will go well.”
Playing Fiji will also require patience and trust in teammates, “They play an offloading game that not many teams are used to and it makes them tough opponents.
“They like going from side to side, so we need to make sure we put lots of defensive pressure on them and force them to come towards our defensive channels. We have experienced coaches and they have a plan, our sessions on how to combat their style went well, so I am confident we will be ready.”
Lamprecht said the transition back to fifteens was easy.
“I think it is because I trust my abilities and I know what I can contribute,” she said.
“Also, knowing that I could be playing in my first test match is really exciting, but for that I needed to focus on my expected role when we trained and that helped.
“This is an historic tour and to be part of this is special. We need good results as well though to make it memorable too. We did good work back home, so now it is putting the final touches together in Suva and then run out as proud Springbok Women ready to do battle for our country.”
Fixtures:
Fijiana XV v Springbok Women
Date: Saturday, 8 August
Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
SA time: 4am (2pm Fiji time)
Fijiana XV v Springbok Women
Date: Saturday, 15 August
Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
SA time: 5am (3pm Fiji time)
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