Babalwa Latsha returns from injury to captain the Springbok Women against the Fijiana XV at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday, with the side targeting a series sweep after their 55-12 win in Suva last weekend.
Latsha, who missed the first Test, is emphatic that last week's result carries no weight going into the rematch. "That result is in the past and we start afresh," she said. The warning is pointed — South Africa dominated the USA in the first Test last month before losing the second 26-19 in Pretoria, and Latsha is determined that pattern does not repeat itself in Fiji.
"How we start is of absolute importance — we need to execute every time we are in striking distance and make sure we do not let them into the match," she said. "Fiji are a formidable side; they showed us what they can do with the ease they scored in the first Test."
Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) earns her first cap on the left wing, with Latsha backing the speedster to deliver. "We cannot wait to see her play. She must just go out there and showcase her talents — we have her back for sure."
Off the bench, Yonela Ngxingolo will extend her own Springbok Women record to 46 caps as the most-capped prop, while hooker Lindelwa Gwala pushes her record to 40.
South Africa have won five of their six Tests in 2026, scoring 252 points at an average of 42 per game. Their only previous meeting with Fiji ended in a 17-21 loss at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in Auckland.
Springbok Women to face Fijiana XV in Lautoka: 15 Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) — 28 caps 14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) — 8 caps 13 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) — 9 caps 12 Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) — 30 caps 11 Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) — uncapped 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) — 33 caps
The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.