Janse van Rensburg reflects on historic Bok Women milestone
INTERVIEW: The Springbok Women flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg added her name to the history books following her team’s two-Test series victory over Fijiana XV.
The historic tour of Fiji proved to be a memorable one for the experienced flyhalf, who achieved two significant milestones in the green and gold.
Janse van Rensburg extended her national Test points record to 221 points – comprising 14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals and one drop goal – during the Springbok Women’s emphatic 55-12 victory in the first Test in Suva.
But the tour was about more than points.
For the first time since making her Test debut in 2021, Janse van Rensburg was handed the captain’s armband, making her the 12th Springbok Women captain since 2004, when the team played its first Test.
View this post on Instagram
“Being named the captain for that first Test was such a massive honour,” Janse van Rensburg told Rugby365.
“It’s not something that I ever thought would come across my path. I just sort of hoped that I could make my mark.
“Just knowing that I’m going down in history amongst all the other great captains that have captained the team before us is really so special and such a huge honour for me.”
Despite taking on the added responsibility of captaincy, the 31-year-old insisted that her approach to the match did not change significantly.
“I think as a flyhalf, you naturally, you know, you are the general on the field, whether you’re the captain or not.
“So, there was nothing really that I changed. I just went out there, did my thing and led the team as best as I could.”
*Also read: How Springbok Women made their mark in Fiji
Janse van Rensburg is also part of a reliable kicking partnership with Byrhandré Dolf, giving the Springbok Women options when it comes to goal-kicking duties.
Rather than having a fixed kicker, the pair assess their form and confidence before deciding who will take responsibility on the day.
“As a kicker, you know, you have days where maybe you’re not striking the ball well or something’s just a little bit off – you know, it happens to us all.
“So her [Dolf] and I will usually, during the week, have a couple of kicks in. We’ll discuss amongst ourselves, like whether we’re feeling good, whether we’re feeling confident, and then on Test day as well, as soon as we go for the warm-ups, you know, get a couple of strikes through.
“If she’s getting good strikes and I’m not, then she’s the one to kick. If I’m the one getting the good strikes in on the day, then, you know, I’ll be the one to kick.
“We have a very good sort of understanding between the two of us. And yeah, whoever feels the most confident on the day, we’ll discuss it. And then that’s the person who kicks.”
For Janse van Rensburg, having Dolf as an alternative also helps ease some of the pressure that comes with playing flyhalf and leading the team.
“For me personally, it does take a little bit of the pressure off me having to already, you know, steer the team, kick for line, do the kick-offs. There’s a lot of things that I have to do and focus on as a flyhalf.
“So when she tells me, you know, her boot’s feeling set, I’m happy for her to take the kicks.”
A tour to remember
The Fiji tour was also significant away from the rugby field.
It was the first time the Springbok Women had toured Fiji, and Janse van Rensburg believes the experience will remain with her for years to come.
“I think Fiji is definitely going down as one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever visited with the rugby team,” Janse van Rensburg stated.
“The people there are so hospitable, so friendly. Everyone is eager to help each other.
“Mixing our culture with theirs. The Fijian team also like to sing. So seeing them sing their songs and our team sing our songs, there’s really that commonality between the two of us.”
The players were also able to experience some of Fiji’s natural beauty, with several members of the squad enjoying activities such as kayaking and snorkelling for the first time.
“We got to see so many beautiful things. For a lot of the girls, you know, it was the first time that they got to kayak on the ocean, or to go snorkelling or do all of these fun things. So I think for the team, it was an absolutely amazing and memorable tour.
“A lot of the girls experienced a lot of firsts on this tour.”
The Springbok Women’s attention now turns to New Zealand.
The Black Ferns and Springbok Women will go head to head on September 5 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, with the match forming part of a blockbuster double-header before the Springboks face the All Blacks in the third Test of the Greatest Rivalry series.
The fixture will also give the Springbok Women an opportunity to respond after their last meeting with the Black Ferns, when New Zealand recorded a 46-17 victory in the 2025 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in England.
“The Greatest Rivalry is a massive event taking place in South Africa. We know how proud the South Africans are when the series comes along and also how proud the New Zealanders are.
“So there’s so much hype going on around it, so much power and love going into this tour.
“So for us to be able to be part of this, not only as an opening game for the men, but an opening game against the Black Ferns – it’s so exciting.
“And once again, just another historic moment for our team to be part of.”
