How Springbok Women made their mark in Fiji
STATS: The Springbok Women produced an impressive two-Test series against Fiji, securing the Ubuntu-Bula Trophy with two victories over the Fijiana XV.
There were plenty of positives throughout the tour, with Lindelwa Gwala, Aseza Hele, Patience Mokone and Zintle Mpupha making their first appearances for the Springbok Women in 2026.
However, the tour was not without its setbacks, with Lerato Makua and Eloise Webb both sustaining injuries.
The Springbok Women opened their Test campaign in Fiji with a commanding 55-12 victory in Suva.
They crossed for nine tries in a dominant display, with Lions prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo grabbing a brace.
The match was also a landmark occasion for Libby Janse van Rensburg, who captained the side for the first time. She became the 12th Springbok Women captain since 2004, when the team played its first Test.
Tshiremba announces herself
The second Test was a much tighter affair, but it proved to be a dream debut for Maria Tshiremba.
The winger scored a hat-trick of tries, showcasing her impressive attacking skills during a hard-fought 29-22 victory at Churchill Park.
According to SA Rugby stats, she made 81 metres, five carries and managed to beat six defenders. She also made eight tackles.
After two Tests, the Springbok Women finished the tour with 84 points, scoring 14 tries while conceding 34 points and five tries.
Their average points tally was 42 points per match.
In the individual statistics, Byrhandre Dolf finished as the Springbok Women’s leading points scorer.
She scored one try and added six conversions for a total of 17 points across the two-Test series.
Tshiremba finished second with 15 points, while also topping the try-scoring charts with her three-try haul.
Gwala, Vainah Ubisi and Xoliswa Khuzwayo each scored two tries during the tour.
Players who put their hands up in Fiji
Aside from Maria Tshiremba, several players used the Fiji tour to make a strong statement and stake their claim for further involvement in the Springbok Women setup.
Anacadia Minnaar was one of the standout performers, showing her ability to dictate the tempo of the game and produce quick ball from the rucks. With concerns surrounding the absence of Nadine Roos ahead of the tour, Minnaar proved to be a more-than-capable stand-in and provided the side with composure and speed around the breakdown.
Shiniqwa Lamprecht also looked comfortable in the green and gold. She produced several big hits and showed plenty of physicality, while also offering an intriguing option for the forwards given her ability to operate effectively in the tight exchanges.
Then there was Lions prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo, who made a compelling case for a starting role. She put in a massive shift across the two Tests, consistently carrying hard and making her presence felt in the physical exchanges. Her efforts were rewarded with a brace of tries in the opening Test.
Anushka Groenewald also deserves a mention as she was among the players who also emerged from Fiji with their reputations enhanced.
Next Stop: The Black Ferns
The Springbok Women’s next challenge will be against the Black Ferns on September 5 at FNB Stadium.
The two sides last met at the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England, where they faced each other in the quarterfinals.
With the Fiji tour providing valuable Test experience and several players making their mark, the Springbok Women will now turn their attention to another major challenge against the reigning world champions.
