SUVA. – Libbie Janse van Rensburg will captain South Africa for the first time when the Springbok Women vs Fijiana XV Test kicks off at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
Read more: Springbok Women focused on next job against USA at Loftus
The 31-year-old flyhalf becomes the 12th player to lead South Africa on the field since their first Test against Wales in 2004. She takes over from Babalwa Latsha, who was not considered for this match as she is in the final days of a recovery plan.
Springbok Women vs Fijiana team changes
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. Amongst the forwards, only Vainah Ubisi and Sizophila Solontsi start again.
In total, 13 members of the match-23 from 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, start for the first time this year.
Aseza Hele at No 8 and hooker Lindelwa Gwala don the green and gold for the first time since the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Lerato Makua starts 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 feature on a bench containing six forwards and two backs.
Anacadia Minnaar and Maceala Samboya earn starts after coming off the bench at Loftus, while Alichia Arries and Catha Jacobs drop to the replacements. Byrhandré Dolf, rested for the second Test against the USA, returns at fullback. Prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo makes a first start since the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi, as does flanker Nobuhle Mjwara.
Johannes-Haupt backs the new-look match-23
Springbok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt told The Daily Pod that while the squad looks vastly different from the last Test, the team will play to its 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 the challenge from Fiji.”
Johannes-Haupt coached Lamprecht 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,” 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.”
Gwala is the most experienced hooker ever in the green and gold and will play in her 39th Test, while Hele returns after 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.
On her new captain, Johannes-Haupt said: “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.”
Springbok Women vs Fijiana team list
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)
6 Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), 33 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
5 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province), 17 caps, 0 points
4 Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), 24 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies), 13 caps, 5 points (1 try)
2 Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women), 38 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women), 12 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
16 Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province), 8 caps, 0 points
17 Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), 44 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
18 Thandile Mazwi (DHL Western Province), 4 caps, 5 points (1 try)
19 Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women), 28 caps, 5 points (1 try)
20 Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies), 7 caps, 0 points
21 Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women), 6 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
22 Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames), 11 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
23 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province), 7 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Kick-off details
The Test at the HFC Bank Stadium in Fiji’s capital kicks off at 04h00 South African time on Saturday, 8 August 2026. The full team announcement was issued by SA Rugby.
