Shiniqwa Lamprecht has set her sights on a first Test cap for the Springbok Women when they face Fiji in an historic maiden encounter in Suva next Saturday. The 23-year-old is one of only two uncapped players in the touring squad, alongside fellow sevens convert Maria Tshiremba.
Lamprecht was on the field when South Africa's sevens side defeated Fiji 21-15 in their 11th-place match at the 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France, exactly two years ago. That experience in Paris remains a cherished memory as she prepares for another meeting with the Pacific nation, this time in the fifteens format.
The inside centre option began her career in fifteens before being drafted into the sevens programme. She represented the Junior Springbok Women against Zimbabwe in 2023 whilst playing provincial rugby for the Isuzu Bulls Daisies, and subsequently spent two full seasons in the sevens set-up, competing in 21 tournaments.
"I was a fifteens player before I was drafted into the sevens set-up," Lamprecht said. "In fact, when I was selected for the Junior Springbok Women against Zimbabwe in 2023, my next goal was to make the XV's team by delivering consistent performances for my province. I then got called up into the sevens set-up and played there for two full seasons, something that I am really proud of as well."
Lamprecht credited her time in sevens with developing her all-round game. "I like the physical part of the game and playing inside centre in fifteens does provide ample opportunities to do that. What I did learn from sevens though, was soft skills, my conditioning has improved, as did my skill set on defence, so looking back, it was a great opportunity to develop as a player. There is no doubt in my mind that I am a more complete player now and that I can take on the best fifteens has to offer."