Springbok Women boosted by Aseza Hele's return for landmark Fiji tour

The Bok Women will face the Fijiana XV in two Tests, on 8 and 15 August in Suva and Lautoka.

Experienced No 8 Hele missed both the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in May and the two-Test series against the USA Women's Eagles earlier this month after having hand surgery, but she has been cleared to play and returns to the squad for the first time since her stellar Women's Rugby World Cup performances in September last year.

Lindelwa Gwala, the most capped hooker, is also back in the squad after recovering from a calf injury that halted her participation in the Africa Cup and USA matches, while Patience Mokone and Zintle Mpupha, who also donned the national sevens jersey this year, also return to the squad.

Mpupha last played in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand's Black Ferns, while Mokone played in the 2025 Africa Cup.

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has included two uncapped players in the squad, in Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Maria Tshiremba, with both jumping codes, having played for the Springbok Women's Sevens this year.

A group of players who form part of the wider squad for the 2026 season will remain at their Stellenbosch base during the tour for strength and conditioning rehabilitation, including Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga, and Aphiwe Ngwevu, who were all involved in the USA series.

De Bruin said: "This will be a challenging trip, but for us in 2026, it is all about pushing beyond comfort zones and in this case, time zones. It is a long way to travel, but in the wider plan, that is what we will have to do when the next World Cup is played in Australia too."

On his squad selections, De Bruin said Lamprecht and Tshiremba showed their fifteens skills in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League in the past: "Both played well on the sevens circuit this year, so I am excited to see their skill set enhancing our style of play.

"Also, Aseza and Lindelwa bring so much experience, which will be needed as we are without some experienced players currently in the rehab programme."

The squad will depart for Fiji on Wednesday. Bok Women assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will take charge of the touring squad on this trip, while De Bruin remains in Stellenbosch to work with the extended squad, like they did with the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya earlier this year.

Springbok Women squad to Fiji:

Forwards (15): Babalwa Latsha (captain), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Thandile Mazwi, Lindelwa Gwala, Anushka Groenewald, Nomsa Mokwai, Vainah Ubisi, Nobuhle Mjwara, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele, Sinelitha Noxeke.

Backs (11):

Anacadia Minnaar, Felicia Jacobs, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Eloise Webb, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Zintle Mpupha, Patience Mokone, Maceala Samboya, Maria Tshiremba, Alichia Arries, Byrhandre Dolf. 

Fixtures:

Fijiana XV v Springbok Women

Date: 8 August

Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

SA time: 04h00 (14h00 Fiji time)

Fijiana XV v Springbok Women

Date: 15 August

Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka

SA time: 05h00 (15h00 Fiji time)

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