New captain to lead Springbok Women in Suva clash

Libbie Janse van Rensburg will captain the South Africa women’s team for the first time in Saturday’s clash against Fiji at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

The first-five eighth becomes the 12th player to lead the Springbok Women since their first Test against Wales in 2004.

Babalwa Latsha, who was named captain last month, remains sidelined as she continues her recovery from injury and was not considered for selection.

Co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt backed Janse van Rensburg ahead of 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,” Johannes-Haupt told SuperSport following the naming of her side.

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

A total of 13 players from the matchday 23 at Loftus Versfeld have been retained, 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 make their first starts of the year.

Number eight Aseza Hele and hooker Lindelwa Gwala will also return to the green and gold for the first time since the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

“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 23-year-old Lamprecht earn her Test debut after previously coaching her during her last fifteens international 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,” she said.

“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 experienced campaigners Gwala and Hele. Gwala, the most-capped hooker in Springbok Women’s history, will play her 39th Test, while Hele returns after an injury layoff.

“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,” Johannes-Haupt added.

The match kicks off at 2pm tomorrow.

Springbok line-up:

15. Byrhandré Dolf, 14. Maceala Samboya, 13. Zintle Mpupha, 12. Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11. Patience Mokone, 10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (captain), 9. Anacadia Minnaar, 8. Aseza Hele, 7. Lerato Makua, 6. Sizophila Solontsi, 5. Nomsa Mokwai, 4. Vainah Ubisi, 3. Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2. Lindelwa Gwala, 1. Xoliswa Khuzwayo.

Replacements: 16. Anushka Groenewald, 17. Yonela Ngxingolo, 18. Thandile Mazwi, 19. Catha Jacobs, 20. Sinelitha Noxeke, 21. Nobuhle Mjwara, 22. Felicia Jacobs, 23. Alichia Arries.