South Africa has named a 26-player Springbok Women squad for its historic tour of Fiji, where it will face the Rooster Chicken Fijiana XV in two Test matches next month.
The Springbok Women will take on Fijiana in Suva on 8 August before the second Test in Lautoka on 15 August, marking the first time the South African women’s team has toured Fiji.
The squad includes the return of experienced No. 8 Aseza Hele, who has been cleared to play after missing recent international fixtures while recovering from hand surgery.
Veteran hooker Lindelwa Gwala also returns after overcoming a calf injury, while Patience Mokone and Zintle Mpupha have been recalled following appearances in the national sevens programme.
Head coach Swys de Bruin has also included two uncapped players, Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Maria Tshiremba, who have transitioned from the Springbok Women’s Sevens programme.
Describing the tour as an important part of South Africa’s preparations, De Bruin said the long journey would provide valuable experience ahead of future international campaigns.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
De Bruin said he was pleased to welcome experienced players back into the squad while also giving opportunities to emerging talent.
“Both played well on the sevens circuit this year, so I am excited to see their skill set enhancing our style of play,” he said of Lamprecht and Tshiremba.
“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 Springbok Women will depart for Fiji on Wednesday, with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September leading the touring squad, while De Bruin remains in Stellenbosch to oversee South Africa’s wider training group.
The two-Test series is expected to provide strong competition for both teams as they continue preparations for future international campaigns.
