Star No.8 Aseza Hele returns as Springbok Women prepare for Fiji
Experienced stars return from injury as South Africa prepares for two-Test series.
Tuesday 04 August 2026 | 10:00
Springbok Women’s No.8 Aseza Hele (with ball) during training at Albert Park, Suva, on August 3, 2026. They face the Vodafone Fijiana XV in the first Test match on Saturday at the HFC Stadium, Suva.
Photo: Leon Lord
The 26-member Springbok Women squad held its first training session at Albert Park in Suva yesterday ahead of its two-Test series against the Vodafone Fijiana XV.
South Africa will face Fijiana in the opening Test at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday before the second Test at Churchill Park in Lautoka on August 15.
Leading the session was experienced No.8 Aseza Hele, who returns to the squad after missing the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in May and the two-Test series against the USA Women's Eagles earlier this month following hand surgery.
Hele has been cleared to play and will make her first appearance since her standout performances at last year's Women's Rugby World Cup.
Experienced hooker Lindelwa Gwala also returns after recovering from a calf injury that ruled her out of the Africa Cup and USA series.
Patience Mokone and Zintle Mpupha, who also represented the Springbok Women's Sevens this year, have also been recalled.
Mpupha last featured in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand's Black Ferns, while Mokone last played during the 2025 Africa Cup.
Head coach Swys de Bruin has also named two uncapped players, Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Maria Tshiremba, who switch back to the 15-a-side game after representing the Springbok Women's Sevens this year.
"This will be a challenging trip, but for us in 2026, it is all about pushing beyond comfort zones and, in this case, time zones," De Bruin said.
"It is a long way to travel, but in the wider plan, that is what we will have to do when the next World Cup is played in Australia too."
On his squad selection, De Bruin said Lamprecht and Tshiremba had impressed in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League.
"Both played well on the sevens circuit this year, so I am excited to see their skill set enhancing our style of play.
"Also, Aseza and Lindelwa bring so much experience, which will be needed as we are without some experienced players currently in the rehabilitation programme."
Assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will lead the touring squad in Fiji while De Bruin remains in Stellenbosch to continue working with the extended squad.
