Bok Women's backline spine to iron out things vows Libbie
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It is a case of slow and steady for Springbok Women fullback Libbie Janse Van Rensburg.
She is confident that the team can ‘iron out’ kinks as they build towards the World Cup 2025.
The Springbok Women recorded three wins in a row in the last few weeks.
They claimed their first-ever victory over Barbarians (52-17) and then outshone Spain ( 36-19), followed by a hard-fought 31-24 win over Japan in the WXV 2 opener in Cape Town.
Their win over Japan saw them climb one spot in the World Rankings, equaling their all-time high of 11th which they last occupied in October 2022.
There has been a big sense of positivity since Swys de Bruin joined the side as the performance coach.
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De Bruin along with the coaching team – Laurian Johannes-Haupt, Franzel September and Bafana Nhleko – has added different dynamics to the team and his systems have reaped rewards.
However, the major talking point has been his decision to select Nadine Roos at flyhalf and move Libby Janse van Rensburg to fullback.
Janse Van Rensburg, normally a flyhalf and a gaol-kicker, has played fullback against Spain and Japan.
In both games, the Bulls Daisies star looked a little bit troubled in her new position.
But eventually found her feet, and even scored a try against Spain, making her the only women’s player to pass 200 Test points.
“I am enjoying the challenge at fullback.” Janse van Rensburg said.
“It is like a breath of fresh air for me.
“Some difference challenges. I think there is more opportunity for me to run with the ball.
“Often in the position of flyhalf, you are very much a distributor and have to be patient to attack.
“You can’t always have a go at 10 where it allows a little bit more room for attack, more room to attack, so I am enjoying it.”
She added: “The warm-up game against Spain allowed me to find my feet a little bit in the position of fullback and I think I’m starting to get a little bit more comfortable with each game.”
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Janse van Rensburg admitted the spine of the backline with Tayla Kinsey at No.9, Roos at No.10 and herself at No.15 struggling against Japan.
However, she is hopeful that the trio will produce a much better display against Australia next week.
“Nadine has been out of fifteens for a very long time, so for her to be back in the system and to be thrown in the position at flyhalf is a daunting task.
“But I think she managed it very well, along with Kinsey [scrumhalf]. We have a good communication line.
“The match [against Japan] was a little bit scrappy and sometimes miscommunication happens, but these are things we can build on. The future is looking good, small things we can iron out and as the spine in the backs we are going into the next game even stronger.”
When asked if she would take over the kicking duties anytime soon, she said: ” It is all up to coach Swys.”
The Bok Women will reveal their team to face Australia on Tuesday.
The side takes on Australia on Saturday at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
