Libbie Janse van Rensburg marked her first Test as captain in style as the Springbok Women crushed the Fijiana XV in Suva on Saturday.
The flyhalf reached two milestones in the 55-12 win, taking her Test points tally to 221 while becoming the 12th player to captain the Bok Women since they played their first Test in 2004.
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Janse van Rensburg praised the team’s dominant set-piece after South Africa laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory through their scrums, lineouts and mauls.
“We are a happy change room right now. We wanted to start strong in this first Test match and achieved that,” she said.
“We really did well in our first phase play and it worked well – our scrums, lineouts and mauls functioned very well and laid the foundation for the win.”
The Bok Women also successfully integrated several players returning from the SVNS circuit, with Shiniqwa Lamprecht making her Test debut as South Africa’s 194th capped player.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Janse van Rensburg believes there is room for improvement before the teams meet again in Lautoka next Saturday.
“Our breakdowns did not always yield the fast ball we wanted, but that came right in the second half and it showed in the final score,” she said.
“We focused a lot on the breakdown leading up to this match and that will continue, we are not as smooth yet as we want to be.
“I also think we can be more direct in the backs as well, we took it out wide today, but still have the option of more direct play, which will also suit our style.”
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The Bok Women will travel to Nandi on Sunday, where they will be based during the week as they prepare for the second Test.
FIJIANA XV – Tries: Vani Buleki, Varanaise Qoro. Conversion: Litiana Vueti.
SPRINGBOK WOMEN – Tries: Xoliswa Khuzwayo (2), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Lindelwa Gwala, Vainah Ubisi, Sizo Solontsi, Maceala Samboya, Byrhandré Dolf, Sinelitha Noxeke. Conversions: Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Dolf (4).
Photo: @WomenBoks/X
The post Libbie leads Bok Women to big win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg marked her first Test as captain in style as the Springbok Women crushed the Fijiana XV in Suva on Saturday.
The post Libbie leads Bok Women to big win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
